Mayer Zald facts for kids

Mayer Nathan Zald (born June 17, 1931 – died August 7, 2012) was an important American sociologist. He was a professor at the University of Michigan. He was known for his ideas about how organizations work and how social movements happen.

About Mayer Zald

Mayer Zald was born in Detroit, Michigan, on June 17, 1931. He studied at the University of Michigan and earned his first degree there in 1953. He then got another degree from the University of Hawaiʻi in 1955.

Education and Early Career

He went back to the University of Michigan for his Ph.D. (a very high degree). He finished his Ph.D. in 1961. His main teacher and guide was Morris Janowitz.

Mayer Zald's Ph.D. paper was about how different goals affect staff in places that help young people. After finishing his studies, he taught at the University of Chicago from 1960 to 1964. Then he taught at Vanderbilt University from 1964 to 1977.

Return to Michigan

In 1977, Mayer Zald returned to the University of Michigan. He became a professor there. He taught about sociology, social work, and business.

He was also the head of the sociology department at Vanderbilt University for a few years. Later, he was the head of the sociology department at the University of Michigan twice. He retired from teaching in 2001.

Mayer Zald was also part of the team that edited important academic journals. These included the American Journal of Sociology and the American Sociological Review. He also helped lead parts of the American Sociological Association. This is a big group for sociologists in America.

Mayer Zald passed away in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 2012. He was 81 years old.

Mayer Zald's Ideas and Impact

Mayer Zald's main work was about two big topics:

• How organizations work.
• How social movements happen.

He believed that sociology helps us understand both science and people.

Understanding Social Movements

Mayer Zald made big contributions to understanding social movements. Social movements are when groups of people work together to bring about change. Think about movements for civil rights or environmental protection.

He worked with Roberta Ash to introduce the idea of a "social movement organization" (SMO). An SMO is like a group or club that helps a social movement. For example, a charity working to protect animals could be an SMO. Their article about SMOs is one of the most cited in a famous sociology journal.

Resource Mobilization Theory

With another sociologist named John D. McCarthy, Zald developed the "resource mobilization theory." This theory explains that social movements need resources to succeed. Resources can be money, people, skills, or even good leaders.

Their article about this theory, published in 1977, is very important in the field. It helped people understand that social movements are not just about strong feelings. They also need good organization and resources to make a real difference.

Mayer Zald wrote and edited many books and articles. He wrote over 60 articles and nearly two dozen books. Some of his important books include:

• Social Movements in an Organizational Society (with John McCarthy)
• Comparative Perspectives on Social Movements (with Doug McAdam and John McCarthy)

In 2008, Mayer Zald received a special award. It was called the John D. McCarthy Award for Lifetime Achievement. This award recognized all his important work on social movements.