For too long, George Yancey and David Williamson argue, the role of cultural progressive activists in facilitating the modern culture wars has been ignored by scholars and seldom critiqued by the public. In What Motivates Cultural Progressives? Yancey and Williamson describe and analyze the multifaceted cultural progressive movement and its place within the larger American society. What they uncover is a collective identity informed by staunch opposition to cultural conservatives - both political and religious - that is motivated by the progressive activist's preference for absolute rationality. However, Yancey and Williamson argue that despite great resistance to conservatives' purportedly nonrational appeals, progressive activists are found to use their own irrational techniques when seeking to establish their movement and position their cause as socially legitimate. With often surprising and likely controversial findings, What Motivates Cultural Progressives? is thought-provoking reading for understanding the political influence of activism. -- from dust jacket.