Review by Choice Review
Inspired by his eight years in Kenya as a journalist for The Christian Science Monitor, Press (Univ. of Southern Mississippi) analyzes the successful progression of the nonviolent opposition movement against longtime president Daniel Arap Moi. Presenting an extensive literature review, Press challenges the current social movement scholarship that presumes the predominance of external or structural factors in successful prodemocracy movements. He emphasizes what other scholars have overlooked: the key role of individual human rights activists in the initial stage of opposition. Their actions can subsequently foment a second and third stage--organizational resistance and mass protests--thus creating a "culture of resistance." The idealistic motivations of the first-stage activists, who face grave risks without the prospect of self-interested rewards, cannot be captured by the rational actor model. Courageous individuals can effectively challenge authoritarian rulers who choose maneuvering through limited compromise rather than resorting to all-out oppression. While most developing nations lack the Western earmarks of "civil society," Press proposes that this more inclusive schema of creating a culture of resistance offers a richer understanding of their prodemocracy struggles. The author highlights the methodology employed in his selection process and interview format for key activists, such as attorney Paul Muite. ^BSumming Up: Recommended. All readership levels. N. N. Haanstad Weber State University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
