What is a social movement

Question 1

What are social movements? Tilly

Answer 1

• Surges of complaints and demands aimed at political change, providing political outsiders a way to make claims effectively.

Question 2

What distinguishes social movements from other forms of political participation? Tilly

Answer 2

They involve sustained challenges directed at power-holders and often take place outside legally favored political actions like elections or petitions.

Question 3

How do social movements interact with society? Tilly

Answer 3

They involve repeated interactions among challengers, claim targets, publics, and third parties like counter-demonstrators and police.

Question 4

How do social movements impact legality? Tilly

Answer 4

They help legalize or tolerate public meetings, rallies, strikes, and occupations, linking to democratic freedoms like speech and assembly.

Question 5

How are social movements connected to elections? Tilly

Answer 5

They highlight support or opposition for authorities and can influence electoral politics by elevating issues and introducing new constituencies.

Question 6

What are the key differences between social movements and elections? Tilly

Answer 6

Movements require higher participation, focus on programs and claims, and emphasize differentiation and identity, while elections focus on candidates and routine outcomes

Question 7

What are the core elements defining social movements? Tilly

Answer 7

• Sustained challenge
• targeting power-holders
• mobilizing wronged populations
• displaying WUNC (Worthiness, Unity, Numbers, Commitment)
• unauthorized actions.

Question 8

What is the WUNC framework in social movements? Tilly

Answer 8

• Worthiness (proper dress, suffering evidence)
• Unity (uniforms, symbols)
• Numbers (public presence, petitions)
• Commitment (risky/persistent actions).

Question 9

What is sustained challenge? Tilly

Answer 9

• Collective claims are made repeatedly and openly.
• Historically suppressed claims thrived only in conditions allowing free association, assembly, and speech.

Question 10

What is the role of unauthorized actions in social movements? Tilly

Answer 10

• Movements innovate in actions balancing legality and impact (e.g., protests, sit-ins).
• Semi-private negotiations with authorities (e.g., police) often occur during such events.

Question 11

How do social movements evolve over time? Tilly

Answer 11

• Success in demands or recognition may result in previously unauthorized actions becoming accepted.
• Innovation shifts over time as movements adapt to tolerated practices.

Question 12

What are the three types of social movements? Tilly

Answer 12

• Professional: Specialized, funded by weakly committed supporters.
• Ad Hoc: Temporary, rich mobilization against specific threats.
• Communitarian: Continuous efforts forming new communities of faith or identity

Question 13

What are the key characteristics of movement dynamics? Tilly

Answer 13

• Sustained public challenges
• blending public and private activities (e.g., lobbying, strategizing)
• transforming participants’ lives.