Includes bibliographical references (pages 307-326) and index.

Introduction : from political opportunity structures to strategic in teraction / James M. Jasper -- Peasant revolts in the French Revolution / Jack A. Goldstone -- Rural social movements in Nicaragua / Anthony W . Pereira -- Human rights in Argentina / Amy Risley -- Rural unions in Brazil / John L. Hammond -- The civil rights movement / Francesca Polle tta -- The women's movement / John D. Skrentny -- Gay and lesbian liber ation / Adam Isaiah Green -- The U.S. movement for peace in Central Ame rica / James M. Jasper -- Opportunity knocks : the trouble with politic al opportunity and what you can do about it / Edwin Amenta and Drew Hal fmann -- Sensing and seizing opportunities : how contentious actors and strategies emerge / Christian Brèoer and Jan Willem Duyvendak -- Event ful protest, global conflicts : social mechanisms in the reproduction o f protest / Donatella della Porta -- Conclusion : are protestors opport unists? : fifty tests / Jeff Goodwin.