Reading #3: Political Sociology - Social Movements and Contentious Politics

Institutional Politics

influencing politics in official and sanctioned ways

Contentious Politics

efforts to influence politics outside of the official and accepted system

Grassroots

structure where control of a social movement is local, and members don’t answer to a central leadership

Social movement sector

individuals and organizations that organize protests and work to change public opinions on issues

social movement outcomes

effects of social movement efforts

authoritarianism

governing style that relies on strict obedience to leaders

nationalism

belief that governments should put national interests first by closing borders and waging trade wars

Sometimes to promote social change…

people need to go outside the system

institutional politics involves…

using methods of influence, like voting

using disruptive methods

like protest, is called contentious politics

Social movements use tactics like…

protest to push for social change —> the groups are called social movement organizations

Movement organizations are often responsible for…

promoting new ideas that eventually are adopted by governments