Set 3: Civil Society & Social Movements

Civil Society

All organizations and associations outside the control of the state that allow people to gather, debate, and push for change (e.g., unions, NGOs, advocacy groups).

Collective Action

When people work together to achieve a shared goal that individuals could not accomplish alone.

Interest Groups

Formal organizations that try to influence public policy through regular political channels such as lobbying or campaigns.

Social Movements

Large, often informal groups that engage in collective action to challenge existing power structures and demand change.

Collective Identity

The shared sense of belonging or 'we-feeling' that connects members of a movement or group.

Power Asymmetry

Unequal power relationships where one group or actor holds more influence or resources than another.

Privilege

Unearned advantages or benefits given to certain groups based on identity factors such as race, gender, or class.

Mobilization

The process of organizing and motivating people to take political action.

Public Goods

Resources or services (like clean air or public parks) that everyone can use and that are not easily restricted to paying users.

Framing

The way issues and messages are presented to shape how people understand and respond to them.

Frame Resonance

The degree to which a social movement's message connects with the beliefs and experiences of the public.

Tactics

The specific short-term actions movements use to achieve goals (e.g., protests, petitions).

Strategies

The long-term plans movements create to accomplish their broader objectives.

Political Opportunity Structure

The external factors — like government openness or elite divisions — that affect a movement's chances of success.

New Social Movements

Modern movements (e.g., environmental or feminist) that focus on identity, values, and culture rather than only economic issues.