Daniela Chironi

Drawing interview material, together with extensive data from the authors’ original social movement database, this book examines the development of social movements in resistance to perceived political "regression" and a growing right-wing backlash. With a focus on Italy and the reaction to increasing inequalities and welfare state retrenchment policies, it examines opposition to the government and state authorities on a number of issues. Triangulating different types of data, it sheds light on the ability of citizens to organise in the streets and addresses crucial matters in social movement research, including the significance to political mobilization of grievances, class, gender and generational differences, as well as considering the network dynamics of micro-mobilization, visions of Europe, and the role of interactions with major political institutions. As such, it will appeal to scholars of sociology and politics with interests in social movements and political mobilization.

This innovative book situates research on the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of institutional and grassroots participation, participatory and deliberative democracy, and science and risk communication. The authors analyse the democratic challenges and opportunities faced by social movements and civil society organizations in emergency situations, and emphasize the crucial importance of their engagement in solidarity actions. Providing in-depth analysis of the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy, with international applications, this book pairs qualitative empirical data with sociological and political theory, drawing on an extensive original collection of interview data. Authors situate civilian responses to the pandemic within a broader crisis framework to explore ongoing debates on social movements, active citizenship, participation, and contemporary political communication. Chapters highlight the role of political actors, media, and scientific expertise in influencing mobilization and public discourse, to analyze the processes that shaped action during the health emergency. Pandemic Communication and Participation is an essential resource for scholars and students of sociology, political communication, and social movement studies. Its practical guidance and focus on mitigating the risks of future health emergencies also makes it a beneficial read for policymakers and practitioners in public health.

Drawing interview material, together with extensive data from the authors’ original social movement database, this book examines the development of social movements in resistance to perceived political "regression" and a growing right-wing backlash. With a focus on Italy and the reaction to increasing inequalities and welfare state retrenchment policies, it examines opposition to the government and state authorities on a number of issues. Triangulating different types of data, it sheds light on the ability of citizens to organise in the streets and addresses crucial matters in social movement research, including the significance to political mobilization of grievances, class, gender and generational differences, as well as considering the network dynamics of micro-mobilization, visions of Europe, and the role of interactions with major political institutions. As such, it will appeal to scholars of sociology and politics with interests in social movements and political mobilization.