Political activists in America - Nathan Teske

Through vivid portrayals of political activists, this book offers a fresh analysis of why people become involved in politics. Based on interviews with environmental, social justice and pro-life activists, the book argues, contrary to both popular opinion and the main approaches of political science, that active involvement in politics can be deeply fulfilling. The identity construction approach is the core of the book's argument and shows how activists value political involvement for themselves. The book argues against approaches that see politics as an inherently costly or unpleasant activity. In contrast, the identity construction approach sees political activism as enabling activists to become somebody whom they would otherwise have been unable to become. The construction of identity among activists is both moral and about what one wants for oneself, and hence illustrates shortcomings in approaches that divide motivations into either the 'self-interested'or the 'altruistic'.