A river of life: Learning and environmental social movements

Abstract

This article by Budd L. Hall argues that the catalytic power of learning and knowledge creation is undervalued and undertheorized in the discourse surrounding social movements, yet it is essential for explaining their power and potential. He introduces "social movement learning" as a vital, embodied space—a "river of life"—that connects individuals' knowledge, hopes, and dreams across communities and generations. This learning includes three forms: informal learning by participants, intentional educational efforts by the movements, and public learning resulting from their activities.