U4 AOS2 Social Movement Flashcards
Define social movement (study design)
Social movement involves a group engaged in an organised effort to achieve social change.
Define social change (SEV textbook)
Adjustments and fluctuations in the views, values, norms, and structures in society in response to various factors, such as laws, the actions and interested of specific groups, government, available resources and the social organisation of society.
What are the theories of change?
- political
- economical
- cultural
- technological
- environmental
Theories of Change
Political Change
Change that has to do with government policy and its administration, including laws and policies
Theories of Change
Economic Change
Change that relates to costs, interest rates, income, taxes and financial management
Theories of Change
Cultural Change
Change relating to beliefs, values, mores, traditions, languages and laws of groups of people in society
Theories of Change
Technological Change
Change relating to technical advances in production methods and innovations - the means by which we can adapt to, control and change our social and physical environment through technology use
Theories of Change
Environmental Change
Change related to a disturbance of the environment most often caused by human influences and natural ecological processes
What are the four types of social movements?
who and what
- alternative
- redemptive
- reformative
- revolutionary
What are the two limited change movements?
- alternative
- reformative
What are the two radical change movements?
- redemptive
- revolutionary
What are the two individual change movements?
- alternative
- redemptive
What are the two movements that change everyone?
- reformative
- revolutionary
Describe an alternative movement
Encourage individuals to change their attitudes and/or
behaviours in a limited, specific way.
- veganism
Describe a redemptive movement
Seek radical, extreme change in individual behaviours and
attitudes.
- ‘tiny house’ movement,
off-grid living
Describe a reformative movement
Seek limited change within existing systems. Reformative movements may be ‘progressive’ (encourage change) or ‘reactionary’ (slow, minimise or
prevent change).
- marriage equality (Australia)
Describe a revolutionary movement
Seek radical or fundamental change to the existing structure or belief system of society itself
- pro-democracy movement (Hong
Kong)
Deprivation Theory
Why?
Arise because of a social inequality,usually economic conditions
- Generally focused on the disadvantages some people faced when compared to others
Deprivation Theory
When?
Pre 1960’s
Deprivation Theory
Example
Suffragettes
fighting for women’s rights, specifically voting
Deprivation Theory
Key Motivator For Actions
People feel deprived relative to others, and feel entitled to the same material conditions (e.g., pay or working conditions) as their peers, and must fight for them
Deprivation Theory
Key Features
Hierarchical in structure – leaders, lieutenants, local chapters, followers
Relied on older structures and institutions e.g., labour unions against management/ownership
Deprivation Theory
Criticisms
Feelings of deprivation and entitlement often occur, but do not always result in a social movement starting. Other factors must be present such as leadership and resources.
New Social Movements
Why?
Arise because of ‘quality of life’ concerns/making the world a better place - e.g. ‘saving the rainforest’
- Mostly emerged because of technological advancement and globalisation on the industrialised world
New Social Movements
When?
Post 1960’s
New Social Movements
Example
Me Too
New Social Movements
Key Motivator For Actions
- Focus on changing social and/or physical conditions e.g., climate change
- Disillusionment with traditional systems of governance – especially regarding issues like racism, discrimination, pollution
New Social Movements
Key Features
- Ideas-based
- Informal networks of activist groups, individuals and organisations
- A sense of collective identity
- More global/international in character Reliance on ICT
New Social Movements
Criticisms
New social movements are not that new,
in that they often use the same strategies, build bureaucracies, lobby politicians and fight injustices the same way as the ‘old’
social movements did.
Categories Of New Social Movements
Defensive New Social Movements
Defend or protect an aspect of society from change (also known as reactionary or conservative)
- Focus on defending natural or social environments considered to be threatened by industrialisation and/or capitalism, impersonal and insensitive forms of government control, and the development of ‘risk technology’ (nuclear power or genetically modified crops).
(Example; PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals)
Environmental Groups like Greenpeace)
Categories Of New Social Movements
Offensive New Social Movements
Resentful, upset or annoyed at an aspect of society they feel is unjust and want it to change (also known as progressive)
- Aim to protect or extend the social rights of individuals who have been denied power or identity, are marginalised and/or are repressed by the state (government).
(Example; Melbourne-based homeless (poverty) advocacy group ‘Urban Seed’
- Australian ‘Asylum Seeker Resource Centre’)
Analytical Categories within NSM Theory
Frames
Used to simplify and condense the ‘world out there’ and offer solutions
successful framing enables social movements to “mobilise potential adherents and constituents, to garner bystander support, and demobilise antagonists”
Analytical Categories within NSM Theory
Submerged Networks
Lack of formal/clear organisational structure within a movement
due to internet, it can appear that there is no central authority figure driving the movement
Analytical Categories within NSM Theory
Movement Culture
How NSM groups manipulate information, identity, and structure to achieve their goals
What are the Stages of Social Movement?
Emergence
Coalescence
Bureaucratisation
Decline
Stage 1 Emergence
Social movements emerge in response to a perceived social injustice or environmental concerns
- Usually a small group of activists forms to increase awareness or advocate for change, and then grows into a larger social movement.
- Movements at the emergence stage lack clearly defined strategies for achieving goals and don’t have organisational structures in place.
Example: anti-maskers.
Stage 2 Coalescence
Leaders determine policies, decide tactics, build morale, recruit members.
- ‘Coalesce’ means ‘join together’
- Collective action occurs to raise awareness.
- Alliances with other organisations might occur to build resources and power.
Example: Black Lives Matter.
Stage 3 Bureaucratisation
The movement adopts many features of a bureaucratic organisation: a hierarchical leadership and management structure, paid staff, formal policies and procedures.
- While movements are often at their most powerful at this stage, sometimes the bureaucratic nature (‘red tape’) can sap attention and energy away from the original goals.
- Bureaucratised movements can become slow to react and inflexible because they are so large.
Example: Greenpeace.
Stage 4 Decline
Success
The movement achieves its goals and has no reason to continue
Eg. The Humane Society, RSPCA, PETA,
Stage 4 Decline
Failure
Due to poor leadership, disunity, lack of funds, disinterest
Eg. Occupy Wall Street
Stage 4 Decline
Co-option
When the leaders leave, are corrupted or are influenced by others outside the movement
Eg. Kony 2012
Stage 4 Decline
Repression
When authorities use power to control or destroy the movement
Eg. Attempted coup in Turkey 2016
The storming of the Capitol building in Washington DC on 6 January 2021 by the ‘Stop the Steal’ movement.
Stage 4 Decline
Establishment in the Mainstream
When the goals of the movement become a permanent idea in society
Eg. Marriage Equality Act (Australia)
Define Power?
Power, as defined by Max Weber, is the ability to achieve desired ends, despite resistance from others.
Study Design:
individuals within society who have adequate power are seen as possessing equality, while those who are denied power are seen as experiencing inequality.
What are Webers three main types of authority?
Traditional
Rational-legal
Charismatic
Webers Authority Theory
Traditional
Authority comes from tradition ‘this is the way it has always been done’ Eg. Kings and Queens, The Patriarchy, etc
Webers Authority Theory
Rational-legal
Based on the official role a person has tied to systems of rules and regulations Eg. employer/employee, teacher/student, etc
Webers Authority Theory
Charismatic
Based on the charisma of a leader, as defined by relationship dynamics, Stems from interpersonal influence Eg. Jim Jones
Describe Legitimate Power
- The use of power by those who have a ‘right’ to it.
- It does not always mean that the
power held is fair. However, whether the use of power is legitimate is subjective. - In a democracy, power is generally considered legitimate when people accept the authority of those in positions of power. When people question the authority of those in power to act, they are calling into question their legitimacy.
Describe Illegitimate Power
- Power which that requires corruption, and/or coercion (the threat of force)
- Illegitimate power is not accepted by society and often attract responses like resistance and disobedience.
What are the three Types of Power
Direct action
Strategic use of ICT
Legal power
Types of Power
Direct Action
Attempts to effect change immediately through boycotts, blockades, strikes, civil disobedience or demonstrations.
Types of Power
Strategic Use of ICT
Use of technology, media and social media, particularly through online
platforms, viral video clips, online petitions and protests, which all spread rapidly.
Types of Power
Legal Power
Use of elected power or the law, courts, police, security and positions of authority
Define social change
adjustments and fluctuations in the views, values, norms, and structures in society in response to various factors, such as laws, the actions and interested of specific groups, government, available resources and the social organisation of society.
Describe a social movements power in Stage 1- Emergence
Power is weak and often reduced to awareness campaigns.
Describe a social movements power in Stage 2- Coalescence
Power is stronger, flexible and more organised, e.g. rallies and protests, but is not entrenched or durable.
