On the Fault Line: Race, Class, and the American Patriot Movement / Edition 1

by Carolyn Gallaher

Overview

Due to the economic globalization over the last twenty years, white workers have seen their racial dominance challenged and the security of their jobs assaulted, making them ripe for mobilization. On the Fault Line examines the American Patriot Movement—a broad, right-wing social movement that includes militias, Second Amendment activists, tax protestors, and individuals who drop out of the system. Carolyn Gallaher uncovers how the Patriot Movement addresses the conflicting social positions of its members—predominantly white, working class males. Arguing that discourses of patriotism obscure the class-based nature of their concerns, Gallaher asserts that these patriots buttress their racial anxieties through safe, acceptable nationalistic coding. While patriots have been mobilized by the right wing, this book presents potent reasons why the left could intervene, and to better effect. For all those interested in the fluctuating systems of power within the United States, Gallaher's work proves to be a fascinating and unique analysis.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780742519749
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	12/17/2002
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	5.84(w) x 8.94(h) x 0.64(d)

About the Author

Carolyn Gallaher is a geographer by training. She is currently an assistant professor at the School of International Service, American University.

Table of Contents

1 February 27, 1997: Garrard County, Kentucky 2 What's Class Got to Do with It? 3 On the Fault Line: Whiteness and Class in the New World Order 4 Out of the Rubble: A Brief History of the Patriot Movement 5 Kentucky Patriots 6 Hemp and Its Discontents 7 Biosphere—Not in My State! 8 On the Road (Again) 9 Looking Ahead 10 Epilogue: March 14, 2002—On the Lam 11 A Note on Method 12 Bibliography

Editorial Reviews

This study of the Patriot Movement (grassroots 'militias') breaks new ground and enhances understanding of this shadowy phenomenon on the American Right. Highly recommended.

Choice

Carolyn Gallagher's book is a refreshing and much needed antidote to the coverage of political movements that concentrates upon their violent threats and acts, their formidable arsenals of rhetoric and weaponry. Instead, On the Fault Line is an exercise in contextualizing the discourse of a fringe political movement with violent tendencies to illustrate why it attracts activists and how it is able to claim support in mainstream political arenas.--Colin Flint, Pennsylvania State University

This is a very original and thoughtful exploration of the Patriot Movement in America and the complex intersections of race, class, and gender that characterize the movement. On the Fault Line is accessible and useful for a wide variety of audiences including scholars, activists, and students. The interdisciplinary flavor of the work makes it attractive in fields such as political science, cultural studies, ethnic studies, race relations and whiteness studies, law, and rhetoric.--Mark Lawrence McPhail, Miami University Western College Program

Explores the little-studied world of the state militia movement, uncovering its fascinating links to mainstream groups on the right and tensions between hard core ideologues and more moderate members.--Kathleen M. Blee, University of Pittsburgh; author of Inside Organized Racism: Women in the Hate Movement

From the Publisher

Carolyn Gallagher's book is a refreshing and much needed antidote to the coverage of political movements that concentrates upon their violent threats and acts, their formidable arsenals of rhetoric and weaponry. Instead, On the Fault Line is an exercise in contextualizing the discourse of a fringe political movement with violent tendencies to illustrate why it attracts activists and how it is able to claim support in mainstream political arenas.

Colin Flint

This is a very original and thoughtful exploration of the Patriot Movement in America and the complex intersections of race, class, and gender that characterize the movement. On the Fault Line is accessible and useful for a wide variety of audiences including scholars, activists, and students. The interdisciplinary flavor of the work makes it attractive in fields such as political science, cultural studies, ethnic studies, race relations and whiteness studies, law, and rhetoric.

Mark Lawrence McPhail

This study of the Patriot Movement (grassroots 'militias') breaks new ground and enhances understanding of this shadowy phenomenon on the American Right. Highly recommended.

CHOICE

Gallaher's study shows real insights into a movement that too few academics have studied. It is theoretically informed and has made admirable use of observation and interviews.

Mobilization

Explores the little-studied world of the state militia movement, uncovering its fascinating links to mainstream groups on the right and tensions between hard core ideologues and more moderate members.

Kathleen M. Blee

Clearly an original work dealing with a relatively new phenomenon in contemporary U.S. life—the Patriot Movement. Whereas many works on social movements have tended to focus upon those of the left, this represents an analysis of one on the right.. .. A nice contribution to the literature.

Andrew Herod

Explores the little-studied world of the state militia movement, uncovering its fascinating links to mainstream groups on the right and tensions between hard core ideologues and more moderate members.

Kathleen Blee

This study of the Patriot Movement (grassroots 'militias') breaks new ground and enhances understanding of this shadowy phenomenon on the American Right. Highly recommended.

Choice Reviews