Doug McAdam

American sociologist known for his work on social movements

Doug McAdam is an American sociologist renowned for his contributions to the study of social movements, particularly the civil rights movement in the United States. He is a professor of sociology at Stanford University and has authored several influential books and articles on the dynamics of social movements and political processes.

Early life and education

Doug McAdam was born in the United States. He pursued his undergraduate studies at Wheaton College and later obtained his Ph.D. in sociology from Stony Brook University.

Academic career

Doug McAdam

McAdam began his academic career with a focus on the civil rights movement, which culminated in his seminal work, Political Process and the Development of Black Insurgency, 1930-1970. This book introduced the political process model, a framework for understanding the emergence and success of social movements.

Political process model

The political process model emphasizes the importance of political opportunities, mobilizing structures, and framing processes in the development of social movements. McAdam's work challenged previous theories that focused primarily on the psychological motivations of movement participants.

Research on social movements

McAdam has conducted extensive research on various social movements, including the anti-war movement, the environmental movement, and the women's rights movement. His work often explores the intersection of social movements and political change.

Major works

McAdam has authored and co-authored several influential books and articles, including:

• Political Process and the Development of Black Insurgency, 1930-1970
• Freedom Summer
• Dynamics of Contention (co-authored with Sidney Tarrow and Charles Tilly)

Awards and honors

Throughout his career, McAdam has received numerous awards for his contributions to sociology and the study of social movements. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Related pages

• Social movement theory
• Civil rights movement
• Political opportunity theory