Abstract
The authors identify and describe a distinct type of social movement leadership, oriented toward promotion of a distinct position or set of arguments rather than toward any kind of grassroots mobilization. Platform leaders mold their organizations into vehicles that facilitate their interaction with mass media and mainstream political institutions. These leaders serve as the sole voice for their organizations in making public claims and exercise exclusive control over the organization's structure and profile. The authors use two case studies of movement organizations, Catholics for a Free Choice and Feminists for Life, to outline this style of leadership. They conclude with questions about the nature of social movement politics defined in this way.
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