Preface
Acknowledgments
1 Introduction: How Do Chronically Failing Altruistic
Social Movement Groups Persist?
A Glimpse of the Catholic Worker House
A Glimpse of STOP
Organization of the Book
Overview of the Chapters
2 Thrilling Risk Attracts Involvement
Draining Helplessness and Chaos at the Catholic Worker House
Distress at STOP’s Monthly Vigil
Toward a Theory of How Thrilling Risk Attracts Involvement
Conclusion
3 Recovering from Failure Carves Paths to Action
A Catholic Worker Story of Failure and Recovery
A STOP Story of Collapse and Recovery
Toward a Theory of How Recovering from Failure Carves
Paths to Action
Conclusion
4 Evolving Emotional Histories Shape Styles of Persistence
A Catholic Worker Story of Persistence
A STOP Story of Persistence
Toward a Theory of How Evolving Emotional Histories Shape Styles of Persistence
Conclusion
5 Conclusion: Toward a Fluid Theory of Social Organization
High Speed and Uneven Tempo at the Catholic Worker House
Low Speed and Even Tempo at STOP
Organization Emerges When the Pull toward Expansion Meets Obstacles
Stability Eventually Undermines Itself
The Relationship between Culture and Social Actors
Dynamics of Influence Across Actors
The Role of the Observer in the Perception of Stability
Assessing Outcomes
Conclusion
Methods Appendix
Working within the Limits of Observation
Investigating the Emotional Rhythm of Social Organization
Representing the Emotional Rhythm of Social Organization
References Index