Not by Politics Alone: The Enduring Influence of the Christian Right [Englisch] [Taschenbuch]

What explains the persistent influence of the Christian Right, even in periods when its declared goals are not being achieved? Sociologist Diamond--author of several thoughtful (if critical) studies of the movement, including Spiritual Warfare (1989), Roads to Dominion (1995), and Facing the Wrath (1996)--argues that its "tenacity . . . may count as much as the moral appeal of its arguments." In addition to its base in evangelical Christianity (which both dictates elements of its "family values" agenda and allows leaders to consistently portray the movement as an underdog in the political and cultural arenas), today's Christian Right is notable for maintaining a wide range of "mobilizing structures" --among them, religious broadcasting; evangelical fiction, magazines, music, think tanks, law firms, and political activity; and such movements as Promise Keepers--that "give people a sense of personal satisfaction as well as political efficacy." Opposing the Left's tendency to demonize the Christian Right, Diamond insists on taking it seriously, endeavoring to understand the sources of its strong appeal to millions of U.S. citizens. Mary Carroll -- Dieser Text bezieht sich auf eine andere Ausgabe: Gebundene Ausgabe .

A critical investigation of the persistent presence of the Christian right in contemporary American political and cultural struggles. Here Diamond continues her studies of the American political right begun in Roads to Dominion (1995) and other works, focusing this time on the diffuse yet cohesive assembly of conservative Protestant organizations collectively termed the ``Christian right.'' How is it, she wonders, that the right's influence continues unabated, despite strong challenges to its highly conservative social agenda in the form of a liberal Democratic presidency and the general popular acceptance of issues such as abortion and gay rights? Her answer: The Christian right is many things. Its a political coalition with strong ties to and influence on the Republican Party, but its also a subculture that provides, as she puts it, ``a safe haven when political success is not forthcoming. Through the media, church and community organizations, and other avenues, the right creates a strong ideology. The ideology propagates the notion that this is a persecuted group battling immoral enemiese.g., abortion doctors, gay employeesin an eternal struggle between good and evil. In such a context, momentary political travails are of little consequence. The Christian right also operates at national and local levels, and with multiple strategies. While struggling for control of local schools over issues such as sex education and secular curriculum, the organization has also developed a strong network of home-schooling activists and practitioners. Finally, the right has shown the capacity to evolve. Thats evident in its current emphasis on what it terms ``racial reconciliation,'' the renunciation of a generally racist past and the active recruitment of people of color into its ranks. Thus, as Diamond points out, even those opposed to the Christian right shouldnt simply dismiss it. Scholarship with a point of view; a highly informative case study. -- Copyright ©1998, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. -- Dieser Text bezieht sich auf eine andere Ausgabe: Gebundene Ausgabe .

"This is an enormously informative study of the Christian Right, written with great authority, and a measure of empathy as well. Diamond shows that the distinctive success of the Christian Right movement is owed to its diverse sources of organizational support, which has made possible an unusual strategic flexibility in fielding movement campaigns. But she also reveals the sources of strain and weakness that stem from the troubled marriage of the movement with the Republican party. This is a first-rate study of a hugely important contemporary movement." --Frances Fox Piven, coauthor of "Why Americans Don't Vote"

"Sara Diamond demonstrates once again that she is one of the best researchers of right-wing movements in the United States. For those who naively believe that the soldiers of the Christian Right will eventually fade away, this book presents a nuanced and sophisticated exploration of the Christian Right's political activism and resiliency. It is a 'must read' for concerned citizens, activists, and academics." --Catherine A. Lugg, PhD, Assistant Professor of Education, Graduate School of Education, Rutgers--The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey

In this work, Sarah Diamond expands our understanding of the Christian Right beyond what is commonly known about its electoral clout, shedding light on the boundaries and intersections where politics and culture converge. The book examines the web of grassroots cultural institutions, including publishing houses, law firms, broadcast stations, and church-centered community programs, that have helped conservative evangelical groups maintain their influence for over two decades. Highlighting the movement's complex alliance with the Republican Party, Diamond provides a behind-the-scenes look at the formation, organizing strategies, and heated internal debates of such powerful national organizations as "Focus on the Family" and the "Christian Coalition". She offers an analysis of how the rubric of "family values" has been used to infuse evangelical beliefs into local and national discussions around such disparate issues as childrearing, gay rights, abortion, public education and funding for the arts.

In this work, Sarah Diamond expands our understanding of the Christian Right beyond what is commonly known about its electoral clout, shedding light on the boundaries and intersections where politics and culture converge. The book examines the web of grassroots cultural institutions, including publishing houses, law firms, broadcast stations, and church-centered community programs, that have helped conservative evangelical groups maintain their influence for over two decades. Highlighting the movement's complex alliance with the Republican Party, Diamond provides a behind-the-scenes look at the formation, organizing strategies, and heated internal debates of such powerful national organizations as "Focus on the Family" and the "Christian Coalition". She offers an analysis of how the rubric of "family values" has been used to infuse evangelical beliefs into local and national discussions around such disparate issues as childrearing, gay rights, abortion, public education and funding for the arts.

Sarah Diamond, PhD, a leading authority on right-wing movements in the United States, holds a doctorate in sociology from the University of California. She is the author of Roads to Dominion; Spiritual Warfare; and Facing the Wrath. She lives in Berkeley California.