Limitations of Social Movments Political Opportunity Structure

Flashcards about the limitations of social movements, focusing on political opportunity structures and the methods repressive nations use to constrain them.

What is a Political Opportunity Structure?

An environment that either constrains or enhances the ability of a non-governmental organization to operate.

How do repressive nations constrain social movements?

By implementing policies that constrain or hinder social movements from enacting change.

Name four methods repressive nations use to constrain social movements.

Delegitimization, Legal Measures, Intimidation, and Violence.

What is Delegitimization in the context of repressive nations?

Depicting Social Movements as foreign agents, spies, extremists, intellectuals, or corrupt elites, promoted through government-sponsored media.

Give some examples of Legal Measures used to restrict social movements.

Laws that restrict freedom of speech and assembly, require registration with the government, require project approval by the government, and anti-terrorism laws.

What tactics are used in Intimidation against social movements?

Selective targeting of particular social movements for punishment, arrests of key leaders, arrests of family members, and arrests of journalists.

List examples of violence used against social movements.

Violence against protestors, torture, and extra-judicial killings.

According to J. Clark (1991), how can repressive governments use their powers?

To dull the sharp edge of social movement criticism through law making powers.