Rowman & Littlefield Publishers Rage on the Right: The American Militia Movement from Ruby Ridge to Homeland Security (People, Passions, and Power: Social Movements, Interest Organizations, and the P)

The image of the militia as ordinary people coming together in times of crisis to help their fellow citizens is deeply embedded in American society and culture. Recent claimants to the militia title have adopted this image even as they have promoted a radically anti-government, populist conservative political agenda. Rage on the Right explores militia activity and ideology throughout the last decade from Ruby Ridge to Waco to the Oklahoma City bombing. Author Lane Crothers uses social movement theory to illuminate why militia members are enraged by U.S. governmental policies and why their rage is unlikely to coalesce into a large political movement. Looking ahead, the book concludes with an examination of prospects for militia renewal in the U.S. after 9/11. Review Crothers' analysis of the contemporary militia movement--as representing extreme versions of certain quintessentially American myths and values--is the best currently available.--Charles Lockhart, Texas Christian University Readers will appreciate the succinctness and logic of Crothers's argument. Recommended.--CHOICE Rage on the Right is well written and would be suitable for an undergraduate course. Academics will find it useful if they are interested in an analysis of the ideology of the movement.--Mobilization This explanation of the armed militias is critical while not demonizing, and scholarly while remaining readable.--Chip Berlet, Senior Analyst, Political Research Associates and co-author of Right-Wing Populism in America Lane Crothers's balanced and thoughtful study of the modern militia movement goes beyond usual journalistic accounts of this important phenomenon to explore its political, cultural, and social roots. Clearly written, carefully documented, and engagingly presented, Crothers's case studies of such climactic events as the Ruby Ridge standoff, the Waco siege, and Timothy McVeigh's terrorism, engage and inform the reader. This book will be an excellent resource for students and scholars alike.--Robert J. Spitzer, Distinguished Service Professor of Political Science, SUNY Cortland, Author, "Guns across America" About the Author Lane Crothers is associate professor of politics and goverment at Illinois State University.