Student Political Activism: An International Reference Handbook

(Hardback)

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Providing a global perspective on student political activism in 29 countries, this reference work features essays by specialists who bring multidisciplinary insights to student movements, programmes and motivations and to the historical, political, social and educational contexts in which these movements exist. Altbach defines student political activism and outlines the rationale behind this collection of essays - why student political activism should be studied and who can benefit most from knowledge of this historically important force. He elaborates on how an understanding of the workings of student politics can benefit political leaders, members of the academic community and the activists themselves.

Reviews

This compilation of 29 country studies could not be more timely. Recent student unrest in El Salvador, Czechoslovakia, and West Germany, a national student forum held in Moscow, and China's Tiananmen Square student tragedy all suggest a worldwide upsurge in students' efforts to participate in political life. The chapter contributors are uniformly cautious in generalizing about the roots of student activism. Asia, Europe, Latin America, and North America are well represented, although only three African nations are discussed. Each chapter presents historical analyses of key events, with emphasis on the past three decades. . . . Especially insightful chapters include those on France, Chile, Israel, Mexico, the Federal Republic of Germany, and the People's Republic of China. Most chapters make extensive use of primary sources. Not all have bibliographies. The index is adequate. Altbach has assembled a strong international team in a landmark work. One hopes this book will serve as a flash point for renewed critical work on student activism. For graduate students and faculty.-Choice
This handbook provides analysis of worldwide student political activism, especially in the past two decades. Following an excellent overview chapter, the volume presents analytical essays on 29 individual countries grouped by region. These essays are written by experts on the educational structures and politics of specific countries. . . . This work is well organized an attractively presented on high quality paper. . . this handbook will be a valuable resource for researchers in education, political science, and global studies.-American Reference Books Annual
"This handbook provides analysis of worldwide student political activism, especially in the past two decades. Following an excellent overview chapter, the volume presents analytical essays on 29 individual countries grouped by region. These essays are written by experts on the educational structures and politics of specific countries. . . . This work is well organized an attractively presented on high quality paper. . . this handbook will be a valuable resource for researchers in education, political science, and global studies."-American Reference Books Annual
"This compilation of 29 country studies could not be more timely. Recent student unrest in El Salvador, Czechoslovakia, and West Germany, a national student forum held in Moscow, and China's Tiananmen Square student tragedy all suggest a worldwide upsurge in students' efforts to participate in political life. The chapter contributors are uniformly cautious in generalizing about the roots of student activism. Asia, Europe, Latin America, and North America are well represented, although only three African nations are discussed. Each chapter presents historical analyses of key events, with emphasis on the past three decades. . . . Especially insightful chapters include those on France, Chile, Israel, Mexico, the Federal Republic of Germany, and the People's Republic of China. Most chapters make extensive use of primary sources. Not all have bibliographies. The index is adequate. Altbach has assembled a strong international team in a landmark work. One hopes this book will serve as a flash point for renewed critical work on student activism. For graduate students and faculty."-Choice

Author Bio

PHILIP G. ALTBACH is Professor and Director of the Comparative Center, State University of New York at Buffalo. He is currently visiting scholar at the Hoover Institution and visiting scholar at Stanford University.