Theoretical Explanations of political action Flashcards
Castells (93)
Marxism - originally argued that SMs resulted primarlily from class conflict between capital and labour. He later suggested that such urban SMs were caused by a new source of inequlity based less on production and more on sonumption.
Marxism Criticism
His notion of collective consumption cannot explain all forms on non instiutional pollitical action.
Saunders (93)
Critcises Castells for overestimating the radical nature of urban SMs claiming middle class people are able to protect their interests
Urry (90)
Marxist - Plays down radical nature of urban SMs by pointing out that they are likely to be made up of middle-class NIMBY’s as of radical protestors intent on drastic social change.
Feminism
Feminists believe that as in other spheres of life, gender identity has not been given due credit in the sociological analysis of political action. Many feminists campaign for equality, others assert that it is more important to emphasize gender difference
Gilligan (92)
Feminist - Because men and women are different, the feminist movement should concentrate on the things that make a woman special
Butler (90)
Feminist - Says that he umbrella term ‘women’ should be abandoned. Women’s identities are manifold but only specific actions are label to highlight the differences.
Greenham common
Set up and run by women to protest against the installation of nuclear weapons.
Roseneil (95)
Feminist - Argues that because women have gained certain political freedoms they were also freed from family ties. They now have the financial freedom to live at camp, where they have a real participation in decision making.
Queer Nation
Similar to Greenham Common but with the aim to eliminate homophobia by reclaiming the word ‘queer’ as positive some in the movement wanted to abdon the stright/gay sitinction and instead view sexual identities as equally acceptbale.
Nash (00)
Feminist - Warns that action may divide a movement and prevent it from gaining wider recognition in society.
Pluralism
Those who adopt this approach see no place for NSMs
Hirst (93)
Pluralist - Dismissed NSMs as such fragmented and loose associations as to be relatively powerless in relation to governments. He doubts that their political actions will ever bring about radical change.
Postmodern
Many people have little trust in what they are told by government and scientitf experts. Life seems more uncertain and public awareness of this has grown. When industrialization and capitalisst production were once taken for granted they are now subject to reflexivity.
Beck (92)
Postmodern - Suggests that in what he calls a risk society, people are more likely to adopt political actions associated with NSMs.
Collective Identity Theory
The world has moved on from modernity to post-modernity. SMs are now not so much a response to coping with risk but instead a way for member’s to develop a self-image.
Melucci (89)
CIT - For supporters of NSMs the issue they are campaigning for matters less than participation in the lifestyle that goes with it. The political action NSMs engage in is only superficial. Being a member of an NSMs helps an individual to develop a collective identity.
Touraine
In order for political action by SMs to be effective it is necessary for their supporters to develop a collective identity and alternative lifestyles.
Fukuyama (92)
Globalization - believes that ‘ideology is dead’. With the arrival of globalization comes the end of ideology and a worldwide system of politics based on liberal democracy.
Lash and Urry 987)
Globalization - Argues that nation states are now threatened by global capitalism. These companies contract out their production to countries where labor costs are lowest.
Klein (00)
Globalization - Used the term ‘sweatshops’ to describe factors where branded goods are made cheaply for sale in the West.
Ritzer (96)
Globalization - In the west too, working conditions have dropped in pursit of profit. Uses the term ‘McJobs’ to describe a growth in low-paid and insecure employment becoming the norm.
Callinicos (03)
Globalization - Believes that they are all motivated by a feeling that the world’s problems are linked in some way to capitalism. In the fight against TNCs, SMs have extended their repertoire of political actions by using the internet in varied ways.
‘Reclaim the Street’s’
Formed in London in 1991 when anti-road building campaigns were around. The campaign to prevent the destruction of the Twyford Dam near Winchester had already started. Their direct action methods included DIY cycle lanes, leaving a wrecked car in Park Lane to symbolize ‘Carmeggedon’, vandalizing billboard car adverts etc.
