SOCIOLOGY PROFESSOR HONORED WITH ASA BEST BOOK AWARD

Aug. 27, 2003

SOCIOLOGY PROFESSOR HONORED WITH ASA BEST BOOK AWARD

The Sociology of Religion section of the American Sociological Association honored Richard L. Wood, associate professor in the University of New Mexico Department of Sociology, with the 2003 Best Book Award.

Wood's book, "Faith in Action: Religion, Race, and Democratic Organizing in America," published by University of Chicago Press, was also one of four finalists for the same award given by the association's Social Movements/Collective Behavior section.

In "Faith in Action," Wood compares two models for non-partisan political organizing by Hispanic, African American, and white residents of poor, working class, and middle class urban neighborhoods. One model is based on an appeal to ethnic identity, the other to religious commitment. Wood points out strengths and weaknesses of democracy in America and analyzes how these organizations strive to overcome the weaknesses by constructing democratic political cultures to fight for their interests. Low-income earners and minorities tend to lack political power, but by working together across racial, religious, and economic divides they can exert significant democratic influence.

Robert Wuthnow of Princeton said, "'Faith in Action' argues that community organizing networks have been remarkably successful in mobilizing people in ways that cut across social class lines and empower those whose lives have become harder as a result of the growing chasm between rich and poor. Policymakers, religious leaders, and scholars interested in the perplexing messiness of American democracy will find this well-written, well-researched book worthy of their closest consideration."

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