- "A social movement is a loosely organized effort by a large group of people to achieve a particular goal, typically a social or political one." - "This may be to carry out a social change, or to resist or undo one."
Introduces the concept of social movements and their defining characteristics, including their collective nature, use of collective action, and focus on social change.
Social movements: an introduction: An introduction to the concept of social movements, their origin, and development. This should cover what social movements are, what they seek to achieve, and their importance in society.
The sociology of social movements: A theoretical framework to understand social movements from a sociological perspective. This should cover the various theories, approaches, and methodologies used to study social movements.
Theories of social movements: The major theories that explain the emergence, growth, and success/failure of social movements. This should include resource mobilization theory, political process theory, and new social movement theory.
Types of social movements: Different types of social movements such as reformist movements, revolutionary movements, identity movements, and environmental movements. This should include examples of each type of social movement.
Characteristics of social movements: The key characteristics of social movements such as collective action, mobilization, and network organization. This should cover the strategies and tactics used by social movements to achieve their goals.
Global social movements: Social movements that transcend national borders and have a global impact, such as the global justice movement, and the climate justice movement. This should cover the causes, challenges, and implications of global social movements.
Social movements and the media: The role of media in promoting or hindering social movements, and how social movements use media to achieve their goals. This should include examples of successful media campaigns.
Social movements and religion: The relationship between religion and social movements, including religious-based social movements and the role of religious organizations in social movements.
Gender and social movements: The intersection of gender and social movements, including feminist movements and women’s rights movements. This should include an analysis of how gender shapes social movements.
Social movements and social change: An analysis of the impact of social movements on society, including the achievement of social change, and the challenges and limitations of social movements.
Resource mobilization theory: Emphasizes the importance of resources and organizational skills in achieving the aims of social movements. Movements that are well-resourced and well-organized can gain significant traction.
Political process theory: Focuses on the political environment and the interactions between social movements and the state. Movements that can successfully navigate the political process will be more successful.
Framing theory: Looks at how social movements frame their issues and communicate their message to the public. Movements that can effectively frame their cause in a compelling way can attract more supporters.
Identity theory: Emphasizes the importance of collective identity and group consciousness among social movement participants. Movements that foster a strong sense of identity and solidarity among their members are more likely to succeed.
New social movement theory: Focuses on the emergence of social movements that are not primarily based on economic or material interests, but on identity or lifestyle issues. Movements that challenge established values and norms can be transformative.
Cultural theory: Emphasizes the importance of culture and cultural practices in social movements. Movements that are rooted in cultural traditions or practices can be more sustainable and impactful.
Contentious politics theory: Looks at how social movements engage in contentious interactions with power holders. Movements that can disrupt the status quo and generate pressure on those in power are more likely to succeed.
Network theory: Focuses on the importance of social networks and connections in social movements. Movements that have broad and diverse networks with strong ties among their participants will be more effective.
Transnational social movement theory: Looks at how social movements can operate across national boundaries and connect with international networks. Movements that can mobilize on a global scale are more likely to have a wider impact.
Feminist theory: Emphasizes the role of gender and gender inequality in social movements. Movements that center the voices and experiences of marginalized women can be transformative and inclusive.
- "It is a type of group action and may involve individuals, organizations, or both." - "They represent a method of social change from the bottom within nations."
- "Political science and sociology have developed a variety of theories and empirical research on social movements." - "Some research in political science highlights the relation between popular movements and the formation of new political parties." - "Sociologists distinguish between several types of social movements examining things such as scope, type of change, method of work, range, and time frame."
- "Modern Western social movements became possible through education (the wider dissemination of literature) and increased mobility of labor due to industrialization and urbanization." - "The freedom of expression, education, and relative economic independence prevalent in modern Western culture are responsible for the unprecedented number and scope of various contemporary social movements."
- "Social movements have been and continue to be closely connected with democratic political systems." - "Occasionally, social movements have been involved in democratizing nations, but more often they have flourished after democratization."
- "Modern movements often use technology and the internet to mobilize people globally." - "Adapting to communication trends is a common theme among successful movements."
- "Research is beginning to explore how advocacy organizations linked to social movements use social media to facilitate civic engagement and collective action."
- "They represent a method of social change from the bottom within nations." - "They may empower oppressed populations to mount effective challenges and resist the more powerful and advantaged elites."
- "They represent a method of social change from the bottom within nations."
- "Many of the social movements of the last hundred years grew up, like the Mau Mau in Kenya, to oppose Western colonialism."
- "Sociologists distinguish between several types of social movement examining things such as scope, type of change, method of work, range, and time frame." - "Some research in political science highlights the relation between popular movements and the formation of new political parties."
- "Over the past 200 years, they have become part of a popular and global expression of dissent."
- "Adapting to communication trends is a common theme among successful movements."
- "Modern Western social movements became possible through education (the wider dissemination of literature) and increased mobility of labor due to industrialization and urbanization."
- "They represent a method of social change from the bottom within nations."
- "Occasionally, social movements have been involved in democratizing nations, but more often they have flourished after democratization."
- "Social movements have been described as 'organizational structures and strategies that may empower oppressed populations to mount effective challenges and resist the more powerful and advantaged elites'."
- "Modern movements often use technology and the internet to mobilize people globally." - "Adapting to communication trends is a common theme among successful movements."
- "Sociologists distinguish between several types of social movement examining things such as scope, type of change, method of work, range, and time frame."
- "Research is beginning to explore how advocacy organizations linked to social movements use social media to facilitate civic engagement and collective action."