The Nature and Purpose of Social Movement

Flashcards covering the nature, purpose, types, stages, power dynamics, and influence on social change of social movements, including key concepts and the work of Erica Chenoweth.

Social Movements

Organizations focused on specific political or social issues designed to affect changes in society's attitudes, beliefs, values, and practices.

Nature of Social Movements

Refers to the type, stage, and power dynamics of a social movement.

Purpose of Social Movements

Refers to the goals and strategies a social movement employs to achieve social change.

David F. Aberle's Classification of Social Movements

A framework developed in 1966 that identifies four types of social movements (alternative, redemptive, reformative, revolutionary) based on who is being changed and how much change is advocated.

Alternative Social Movements

Social movements that encourage individuals to change their attitudes and/or behaviors in a limited, specific way (e.g., vegetarianism, Rethink the Drink campaign).

Redemptive Social Movements

Social movements that seek radical, extreme change in individual behaviors and attitudes, often involving personal transformation (e.g., Alcoholics Anonymous, 'tiny house' movement).

Reformative Social Movements

Social movements that seek limited change within existing systems, often targeting social injustices or inequalities within a specific group or society (e.g., marriage equality, Fur Free Alliance).

Revolutionary Social Movements

Social movements that seek radical or fundamental change to the existing structure or belief system of society itself, aiming to replace existing systems with new ones (e.g., Russian Revolution, pro-democracy movement Hong Kong).

Movement Evolution

The process by which the goals, strategies, and focus of social movements can change over time, often leading to different 'waves' or phases (e.g., First-wave, Second-wave, Third-wave Feminism).

First-wave Feminism

A historical phase of the feminist movement focused primarily on women's suffrage and basic political rights.

Second-wave Feminism

A historical phase of the feminist movement that challenged traditional gender roles, fought discrimination, and addressed issues like reproductive rights and workplace equality.

Third-wave Feminism

A historical phase of the feminist movement that concentrates on marginalized women, systemic sexism, diversity, and body positivity.

Life Cycle of a Social Movement

A model describing the dynamic process social movements typically undergo, consisting of stages: emergence, coalescence, bureaucratisation, and decline.

Emergence Stage

The first stage of a social movement where people become aware of a problem, express discontent, and share concerns, often lacking clear leaders or organized plans.

Coalescence Stage

The second stage where a social movement gains momentum, defines clear goals and targets, grows in organization, leaders emerge, and recruitment/alliances are formed through activities like rallies and protests.

Bureaucratisation Stage

The third stage where a social movement becomes formally structured with clear roles and hierarchy, often shifting from public demonstrations to negotiation and lobbying, with paid staff and increased influence.

Decline Stage

The final stage where a social movement loses momentum due to reasons such as achieving its goals (success), internal issues (failure), suppression by opposition (repression), leaders joining the opposition (co-optation), or its ideas becoming widely accepted (mainstream acceptance).

Power (in Social Movements)

The ability to control others, even if they resist, and a key factor influencing a movement's ability to achieve its goals against opposition.

Formal Power

Power derived from official authority or an established position within a structure (e.g., legitimate power).

Informal Power

Power derived from personal characteristics, relationships, or specialized knowledge rather than an official title (e.g., referent, expert, or informational power).

Reward Power

Formal power based on the ability to provide a positive incentive or reward for compliance.

Coercive Power

Formal power based on the ability to provide a negative consequence or punishment for non-compliance.

Legitimate Power

Formal power based on the belief that a person has the formal right or authority to make demands.

Referent Power

Informal power based on identification with, attraction to, or respect for a leader, often associated with charisma or reputation (e.g., celebrity endorsement).

Expert Power

Informal power based on the belief of superior insight, knowledge, or abilities in a specific area (e.g., an expert speaking on behalf of a movement).

Informational Power

Informal power based on the ability to control the information others need to accomplish their goals.

Social Change

Alterations in a society's beliefs, values, rules, and systems over time.

Hahrie Han's Qualities for Successful Movements

Three qualities: movements are 'possible' (easy for ordinary people to join), 'probable' (people want to participate peacefully), and 'powerful' (helps people feel strong and united).

Erica Chenoweth

A leading expert whose research demonstrates that non-violent forms of civil disobedience are more effective in achieving desired social change than violent ones.

Non-Violent Resistance

A strategy for achieving social or political change through peaceful methods, such as protests, boycotts, and civil disobedience, emphasized by Erica Chenoweth as more effective than violent resistance.

Mass Mobilisation

The widespread active participation of a significant portion of the population in a social movement, identified by Chenoweth as crucial for success, often requiring at least 3.5% of the population.

Inclusive Movements

Movements that welcome a wider range of participants, often non-violent, which helps build a larger base of support and social power.

Technology in Social Movements

The use of digital platforms like social media to spread awareness, organize, bypass traditional media control, and highlight opposition actions, while also facing challenges in translating online support to sustained real-world action.