Bao, Wan-NingXie, YunpingSeybold, Peter James, 1950-Modibo, Najja N.2014-01-032014-01-032014-01-03https://hdl.handle.net/1805/3814http://dx.doi.org/10.7912/C2/696Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)This thesis is a critical literature review on the studies of social movements and contentious politics in the U.S. and China. Thanks to theories of contentious politics, we can analyze the studies of America’s social movements and China’s collective actions in the same “frame.” By making a comparison, this thesis tries to construct a theoretical dialogue between the studies across both countries. At the same time, it criticizes over-generalizing the mode “democratic-nondemocratic” in analysis of repertories of contentious politics and downplaying capitalism’s role in the social movements. From the various empirical studies in both countries, this thesis argues that a generalization should be based on the diversity of this realm, not just from the western perspective.en-USsocial movementpoliticsUnited StatesAmericaChinacivil societySocial movements -- United States -- 21st centurySocial movements -- China -- 21st centuryChina -- Politics and government -- 21st centuryUnited States -- Politics and government -- 21st centurySocial change -- China -- 21st centurySocial change -- United States -- 21st centuryBalance of powerPolitical participation -- United StatesPolitical participation -- ChinaPeasants -- Political activity -- ChinaElite (Social sciences) -- United States -- 21st centuryEducation -- United States -- Philosophy -- HistoryLocal government -- China -- 21st centuryCollective behaviorPolitical sociologySocial conflictThesis