Social Movements

An organized collective activity aimed at bringing about or resisting fundamental change in an existing group or society.

Social movements emerge from collective norms and values, usually as a response to social strain.

Social movements arise in response to authoritarian rule, as populations band together due to feelings of alienation from authoritarian regimes.

This theory posits that social movements are catalyzed by the conscious feeling of a negative discrepancy between what individuals believe they are entitled to (legitimate expectations) and their actual circumstances.
- For a social movement to occur, two conditions must be met:
- Individuals must feel they have a right to their goals.
- Individuals must perceive that they cannot attain their goals through conventional means compared to others.
- Critics argue that feeling deprived is not a necessary condition for action to occur.

RMT focuses on how social movements utilize resources such as money, political influence, access to the media, and personnel.
- Key elements:
- Organizational base and leadership are critical.
- Recruiters must raise awareness among potential supporters.

PPT traces the life-cycle of social movements from inception to dissolution, highlighting the rational attempts to mobilize and utilize political opportunities.

These structures refer to the political opportunities available outside the social movement itself, which can significantly influence the movement's success or direction.

Movement Actors: Aggrieved groups that are advocating for change.
Stated Goals: Desired changes sought by the movement.
Repertoires of Contention: The means used to achieve goals, including protests and demonstrations.
Targets of Change: The entities where social change is desired, such as governments and institutions.

Social movements are viewed as attempts by politically excluded groups to challenge State and economic structures through non-institutionalized means.
Movement actors are often politically and economically disadvantaged groups, aiming to change political, legal, or social policies.
Possible repertoires of contention can include:
- Violent tactics
- Illegal actions
- Non-institutionalized protests (e.g., strikes, sit-ins, rallies, rebellions).
Common targets for change include states or state institutions.

Skocpol (1979) conducted a historical analysis of revolutions in China, Russia, and France.
- She argued that revolutions are 'made' rather than spontaneously occurring.
- Emphasized the necessity of incorporating state analysis into the study of revolutions.

These theories often overlook or oversimplify cultural factors within structural frameworks.
Empirical studies suggest that many social movements do not fit neatly within PPT frameworks.
PPTs and RMTs frequently ignore the significance of collective identity formation.
There is an assumption that repertoires of contention are exclusively violent or non-state.

According to Robert D. Benford and David Snow:
- Ideas mobilize individuals, driven by framing processes that create feelings of grievance and collective agency.
Francesca Polletta argues:
- Culture is foundational to structures within social movements, and its role is as significant as political impact.

Emerged in the 1960s, reflecting shifts in social movements due to the post-industrial economy.
- Focuses on issues like human rights, identity, and social justice.
- Examples include movements for women's rights and LGBTQ+ rights.

Francesca Polletta and James Jasper highlight that collective identity shapes social movements.
- Social Movement Organizations (SMOs) foster these identities.
Jane Mansbridge and Aldon Morris stress the need to understand the subjective roots of protest, noting that participants often develop an oppositional consciousness in SMOs.

Proposes a view of society composed of multiple and sometimes contradictory institutions.
Challenges the notion that domination and resistance are only organized around state power.
- Examines social change efforts within both state and non-state institutions, emphasizing that goals and strategies vary depending on the targeted change.
- Acknowledges how social movements can foster cultural change.
- Considers how the identities of actors influence social movements.

PPTs & RMTs:
- Focus on political and economic disadvantage, targeting state institutions, relying on non-institutionalized methods.
Multi-Institutional Theory:
- Includes a broader range of disadvantaged groups and recognizes peaceful, legal, and institutionalized means of contention, targeting non-state institutions and culture as well.