From grassroots to mainstream: A structural actor-network study of organizational growth and political influence

Abstract

Students have long played an important role in U.S. political activism. While research has investigated the historical relevance of campus activist groups in the U.S., little research has focused on the mechanisms through which such groups curate influence and impact in the contemporary age. This dissertation utilizes a “structural” Actor-Network Theory (ANT) approach to trace the network of prominent grassroots organization to powerful organizations and figures, embedding themselves firmly in the contemporary political landscape. This vast network provides empirical evidence to support prior literature on grassroots political organizations, demonstrates the capacity for an application of structural ANT, and highlights the impact that a relatively small but organized configuration of individuals and groups can have on modern American politics.