Dialogues of Self and Identity: Foundations for Collection Action

Self, Identity, and Collective Action By Francine Tremblay (Lexington Books, 2023) Scholars with interests in social movements, activism, advocacy, and sociological theory will find much value in this work. Francine Tremblay, a Canadian sociologist and activist, provides an examination of the conceptual underpinnings of collective action practices, especially those involving marginalized people; the examination in the current book was informed by her recently published research on organizing and advocating for sex workers in Montreal. The nexus between the development of the self, morality, and collective action is the crux of the author's disquisition. A very theoretical work, Tremblay begins with a discussion of sociology's founder Emile Durkheim and philosopher Rene Descartes. While not known as a sociologist of micro level concepts such as self and identity, Durkheim is utilized to provide insights on morality, especially in relation to the development of the self: the interdependence required in modern society creates solidarity within groups which in turn assists in the creation of the self. Descartes is important in this work due to his insistence of how reason, primarily through dialogue, is used to connect identity to morals in contemporary society, which again leads to the development of selfhood. Other theorists and philosophers are enlisted to augment Tremblay's proposition. George Herbert Mead's theories are foundational to this work in explaining how the development of self and identity can be turned into collective action. Grounded in symbolic interactionism, the author claims it is through dialogue that the moral character needed in social movement activity develops; this is illustrated in a unique fashion in this work and will be addressed soon. The work of Michel Foucault provides insights on the role of power relations, which is important in understanding how the experiences of marginalized people, such as sex workers (the group that was the focus of her previous research), can influence social movement activity. Also discussed is the more recent theorizing of Canadian philosopher Charles Taylor, which supplements Durkheim and Mead's ideas with a focus on moral identity, and that of French sociologist Alain Touraine, whose emphasis on religion further addresses the moral elements of selfhood through spiritual growth; Touraine's emphasis on the role of emotions in social movements is also important to this thesis. Historicity is a key part of the work, and the author weaves historical events to illustrate the reactions to those deemed the “other” by legal and medical institutions. Responses to mental illness, drug use, and sexuality require the development of moral identity to address marginalization through collective action. The third part of this investigation of self, dialogue, and collective action requires a discussion of social movement theory. The primary theories considered are resource mobilization, new social movement theory, relative deprivation, and framing. Framing theories are of special importance here as social movements require actors to effectively communicate the ideas of social change they seek. New social movement theories have been important in creating change primarily due to their focus on personal identities, which are often disenfranchised. The importance of discussion is represented in the author's words “conversation and dialogue are the basis of the self, our identity, and our path to action” (p. 5). This importance is illustrated in conversations with colleagues, current and former students, and activists, who all add insights into topics including social theory, race and ethnic inequality, online activism, and the effects of social media and technology. The concluding section of the book is entirely a dialogue with a young academic named James. In her discussion with the budding scholar the author states she is nearing the end of her academic career while James is at the beginning of his; this is a dialogue between teacher and student and a reflection of an intellectual odyssey in academia and activism. The inclusion of classical theorists Mead and Durkheim provides a strong foundation to the book. An interesting extension of classical theory to modern social movements could be provided by an analysis of the social thought of W.E.B. Du Bois and Georg Simmel. Both founding theorists focused on the relationship between selfhood, identity, and collective action among marginalized groups. Qualitative research on people othered by race and ethnicity with a focus on selfhood (illustrated by Du Bois' racial double consciousness or Simmel's ethnic strangeness) could supplement the analysis proffered. As noted, the importance of dialogue is important in both the formulation of a moral self and in direct social movement activity and is a key element of the work. While this was effectively reflected in the interviews with colleagues, students, and experts, the use of interviews with the people in the affected groups and with more practitioners directly involved in collective action for these groups could potentially provide a more comprehensive analysis. The ideas advanced in Self, Identity, and Collective Action reflect an important linkage between theory (both general sociological theory and social movement theory) and practice, both in advocacy for marginalized groups and collective social action. The classical theorists and philosophers can teach us about life in the contemporary world if we consider their words. Listening to their insights and discussing them in our classrooms, presentations, and through the written word creates the dialogue necessary for the development of the self, which as Tremblay claims, is necessary for social change. There is much insight in the book and keeping the dialogue alive is important in the rapidly changing late modern world. Leonard A. Steverson is Assistant Professor of Sociology at Flagler College in Florida and Associate Professor emeritus at South Georgia State College. His recent research involves various aspects of community activity.

Récupéré en direct depuis OpenAlex et désinversé. Les résumés ne sont pas conservés dans cette base de données : les index inversés représentent 8,6 Go des 9,3 Go de texte de la base, et le serveur dispose de 13 Go libres.