Social movement, loosely organized but sustained campaign in support of a social goal, typically either the implementation or the prevention of a change in Society’s structure or values. Although social movements differ in size, they are all essentially collective. That is, they result from the more or less spontaneous coming together of people whose relationships are not defined by rules and procedures but who merely share a common outlook on society.
Collective behaviour in crowds, panics, and elementary forms (milling, etc.) are of brief duration or episodic and are guided largely by impulse. When short-lived impulses give way to long-term aims, and when sustained association takes the place of situational groupings of people, the result is a social movement.
Characteristics Of Social Movements
A movement is not merely a perpetuated crowd, since a crowd does not possess organizational and motivational mechanisms capable of sustaining membership through periods of inaction and waiting. Furthermore, crowd mechanisms cannot be used to achieve Communication and coordination of activity over a wide area, such as a nation or continent. A movement is a mixture of organization and spontaneity. There is usually one or more organizations that give identity, Leadership, and coordination to the movement, but the boundaries of the movement are never coterminous with the organizations. For example, although organizations such as California’s Sierra Club are influential in the movement to preserve the natural Environment, anyone who works for the cause and interacts with other workers for this purpose is a member of the conservationist movement. The famous John Brown was not a member of any major abolitionist organization, but his martyrdom made him a leader and symbol for the movement, even though organizational leaders were reluctant to recognize him.
Social movements and Social Change All definitions of social movement reflect the notion that social movements are intrinsically related to social change. They do not encompass the activities of people as members of stable social groups with established, unquestioned structures, norms, and values. The behaviour of members of social movements does not reflect the assumption that the social order will continue essentially as it is. It reflects, instead, the faith that people collectively can bring about or prevent social change if they will dedicate themselves to the pursuit of a goal. Uncommitted observers may regard these goals as illusions, but to the members they are hopes that are quite capable of realization. Asked about his activities, the member of a social movement would not reply, “I do this because it has always been done” or “It’s just the custom.” He is aware that his behaviour is influenced by the goal of the movement: to bring about a change in the way things have “always” been done or sometimes to prevent such a change from coming about.
The quixotic efforts of bold, imaginative individuals do not constitute social movements. A social movement is a collectivity or a collective enterprise. The individual member experiences a sense of membership in an alliance of people who share his dissatisfaction with the present state of affairs and his vision of a better order. Like a group, a social movement is a collectivity with a common goal and shared values.
The sense of membership suggests that the individual is subject to some discipline. In addition to shared values, a social movement possesses norms. These norms prescribe behaviour that will symbolize the member’s loyalty to the social movement, strengthen his commitment to it, and set him apart from nonmembers. The norms prohibit behaviour that may cause embarrassment to the movement or provide excuses for attacks by opponents. Commitment is strengthened by participation in group activities with other members and by engaging in actions, individual or collective, that publicly define the individual as a committed member.
A social movement also provides guidelines as to how members should think. Norms of this kind constitute something resembling a “party line”—a definition of the “correct” position for members to take with regard to specific issues. There is subtle pressure on the individual to espouse this position even in the absence of personal knowledge of the arguments for it. Not every member can be expected to study and think through the philosophy that justified the movement and its values. Ideology provides him with a ready-made, presumably authoritative set of arguments.
Directed social change
Social change may result from goal-directed large-scale social planning. The possibilities for planning by government bureaucracies and other large organizations have increased in modern societies. Most social planning is short-term, however; the goals of planning are often not reached, and, even if the planning is successful in terms of the stated goals, it often has unforeseen consequences. The wider the scope and the longer the time span of planning, the more difficult it is to attain the goals and avoid unforeseen or undesired consequences. This has most often been the case in communist and totalitarian societies, where the most serious efforts toward integrated and long-term planning were put into practice. Most large-scale and long-term social developments in any society are still largely unplanned, yet large-scale changes resulting from laws to establish large governmental agencies, such as for Unemployment insurance, old-age pensions, or guaranteed medical care, have produced significant institutional changes in most industrial societies.
Planning implies institutionalization of change, but institutionalization does not imply planning. Many unplanned social changes in modern societies are institutionalized; they originate in organizations permanently oriented to innovation, such as universities and the research departments of governments and private firms, but their social repercussions are not controlled. In the fields of science and technology, change is especially institutionalized, which produces social change that is partly intended and partly unintended.
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Social movements are collective challenges by people with common purposes and solidarity in sustained interaction with elites, opponents, and authorities. They aim to promote, resist, or transform a social order.
Social movements can be classified into different types based on their goals, strategies, and tactics. Some common types of social movements include:
Reformist movements seek to change specific policies or laws.
Revolutionary movements seek to overthrow the existing social order and create a new one.
Emancipatory movements seek to liberate people from oppression or discrimination.
Identity-based movements seek to promote the rights and interests of a particular group of people based on their shared identity.
There are many different theories about why social movements emerge and how they operate. Some of the most influential theories include:
Resource mobilization theory argues that social movements are more likely to emerge when there are Resources available to support them, such as Money, people, and organizational skills.
Political opportunity theory argues that social movements are more likely to emerge when there are opportunities for them to succeed, such as when the political system is open to change or when there is a crisis that creates a sense of urgency.
Frame alignment theory argues that social movements are more likely to be successful when they are able to frame their demands in a way that resonates with potential supporters.
Social movements can take many different forms, but they typically involve some combination of the following:
Protests are public demonstrations of support for a social movement’s goals.
Rallies are large gatherings of people to show support for a social movement.
Boycotts are refusals to buy goods or Services from a company or organization that is seen as supporting the status quo.
Strikes are refusals to work by employees in order to pressure their employers to make changes.
Occupations are the taking over of buildings or other spaces in order to draw attention to a social movement’s demands.
Social movements can have a variety of outcomes, both positive and negative. Some positive outcomes of social movements include:
Policy change – social movements can pressure governments to change laws or policies.
Attitudinal Change – social movements can change the way people think about an issue.
Organizational change – social movements can create new organizations that can continue to work for social change.
Personal transformation – social movements can provide individuals with a sense of purpose and Empowerment.
Some negative outcomes of social movements include:
Violence – social movements can sometimes turn violent, leading to injuries or deaths.
Repression – governments can respond to social movements with repression, such as arrests, torture, or killings.
Co-optation – governments or other powerful actors can sometimes co-opt social movements, turning them into tools for their own purposes.
Directed social change is a type of social change that is intentionally planned and implemented. It can be carried out by individuals, groups, or organizations, and it can take many different forms. Some common examples of directed social change include:
Government policies – governments can use laws, regulations, and other policies to promote social change.
Non-governmental organizations – NGOs can work to promote social change through Education, advocacy, and other activities.
Social movements – social movements can use protests, boycotts, and other tactics to pressure governments and other powerful actors to make changes.
Directed social change can be a powerful tool for improving the lives of people around the world. However, it is important to note that it can also be used to promote harmful or unjust policies. It is therefore essential to carefully consider the goals and objectives of any directed social change effort before embarking on it.
There are many different theories about how to evaluate directed social change. Some common approaches include:
Outcome evaluation – this approach focuses on the results of a directed social change effort, such as whether it achieved its goals.
Process evaluation – this approach focuses on the steps that were taken to implement a directed social change effort, such as whether the right people were involved and whether the right resources were available.
Impact evaluation – this approach focuses on the long-term effects of a directed social change effort, such as whether it led to lasting changes in people’s lives.
It is important to use a variety of evaluation methods in order to get a complete picture of the impact of a directed social change effort.
What is a social movement?
A social movement is a group of people who share a common goal and work together to achieve it. Social movements can be organized around a wide range of issues, such as civil rights, environmental protection, or Women‘s rights.
What are the different types of social movements?
There are many different types of social movements, but some of the most common include:
Reformist movements: These movements seek to change specific policies or laws.
Revolutionary movements: These movements seek to overthrow the existing social order and create a new one.
Nationalist movements: These movements seek to create or maintain a nation-state.
Religious movements: These movements seek to promote a particular religion or religious belief.
Social change movements: These movements seek to change society in some way, such as by promoting Equality or Justice.
What are the stages of a social movement?
Social movements typically go through a series of stages, including:
Emergence: This is the stage in which a social movement first comes into being. It is often characterized by a sense of dissatisfaction with the status quo and a desire for change.
Mobilization: This is the stage in which a social movement gains momentum and begins to attract more members. It is often characterized by protests, demonstrations, and other forms of activism.
Institutionalization: This is the stage in which a social movement becomes more established and begins to achieve its goals. It is often characterized by the formation of organizations, the passage of laws, and other changes to the social and political system.
Decline: This is the stage in which a social movement begins to lose momentum and eventually fades away. It is often characterized by a decrease in membership, a loss of public support, and the failure to achieve its goals.
What are the factors that contribute to the success of a social movement?
There are many factors that can contribute to the success of a social movement, including:
The strength of the movement’s ideology: A strong ideology can provide a sense of purpose and direction for a social movement.
The level of organization: A well-organized social movement is more likely to be successful than one that is not.
The level of public support: A social movement is more likely to be successful if it has the support of the public.
The effectiveness of the movement’s tactics: A social movement is more likely to be successful if it uses effective tactics, such as protests, demonstrations, and boycotts.
The political Climate: The political climate can also play a role in the success of a social movement. A social movement is more likely to be successful if the political climate is favorable to its goals.
What are some examples of successful social movements?
Some examples of successful social movements include:
The American civil rights movement: This movement was successful in ending segregation and discrimination against African Americans in the United States.
The women’s suffrage movement: This movement was successful in winning the right to vote for women in the United States.
The labor movement: This movement was successful in improving the working conditions and wages of workers in the United States.
The environmental movement: This movement has been successful in raising awareness about environmental issues and in promoting policies to protect the environment.
What are some challenges that social movements face?
Social movements face a number of challenges, including:
Opposition from those who benefit from the status quo: Social movements often face opposition from those who benefit from the current social order. This opposition can take many forms, such as violence, intimidation, and legal challenges.
Lack of public support: Social movements often lack the support of the public. This can make it difficult to mobilize people to take action and to achieve their goals.
Lack of resources: Social movements often lack the resources they need to be successful. This can include money, time, and people.
Internal divisions: Social movements can also face internal divisions, such as disagreements about strategy or tactics. These divisions can make it difficult for the movement to be effective.
What is the future of social movements?
The future of social movements is uncertain. However, social movements have played an important role in shaping history, and it is likely that they will continue to do so in the future.
Question 1
Social movements are:
(A) Organized efforts to promote or resist social change. (B) Groups of people who share a common goal and work together to achieve it. (C) Organizations that are dedicated to social justice. (D) All of the above.
Question 2
What is the goal of a social movement?
(A) To promote social change. (B) To resist social change. (C) To achieve a common goal. (D) All of the above.
Question 3
What are some examples of social movements?
(A) The Civil Rights Movement. (B) The Women’s Movement. (C) The Environmental Movement. (D) All of the above.
Question 4
What are some of the tactics that social movements use?
(A) Protests. (B) Boycotts. (C) Sit-ins. (D) All of the above.
Question 5
What are some of the challenges that social movements face?
(A) Opposition from those who benefit from the status quo. (B) Lack of resources. (C) Internal divisions. (D) All of the above.
Question 6
What are some of the successes of social movements?
(A) The end of slavery in the United States. (B) The passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. (C) The legalization of same-sex marriage in the United States. (D) All of the above.
Question 7
What are some of the limitations of social movements?
(A) They can be difficult to organize and maintain. (B) They can be disruptive and even violent. (C) They can be co-opted by those in power. (D) All of the above.
Question 8
What is the future of social movements?
(A) It is difficult to say. (B) They are likely to continue to play an important role in promoting social change. (C) They may become more focused on online activism. (D) All of the above.
Question 9
What is the role of the media in social movements?
(A) The media can help to raise awareness of social issues and promote social change. (B) The media can also be used to silence dissent and suppress social movements. (C) The media’s role in social movements is complex and often contradictory. (D) All of the above.
Question 10
What is the role of the government in social movements?
(A) The government can play a supportive role in social movements, providing resources and protection. (B) The government can also play a repressive role in social movements, using force to suppress them. (C) The government’s role in social movements is complex and often contradictory. (D) All of the above.