When I describe to people the nature of my academic work, I usually encounter some mild confusion about what ‘social movement theory’ means.  This is understandable, especially given that even the most seasoned academics working in the field aren’t sure what ‘social movement theory really means.  So, below you will find my take, Part 1 of a primer on social movement theory’s development over the course of the 20th century. !!If anyone would like anything clarified or more references, etc.  let me know!! Introduction Seen from above, the canopy of a dense forest appears as one undulating mass; indeed, ecologists describe a canopy-specific ecosystem, one quite different from those found below.  However, when only viewed from above, it is impossible to comprehend the particular role individual trees play in that ecosystem because the subtleties of the canopy’s construction are obscured. We might think of most scholarly assessments of the recent history of radical and progressive social . . .