Social movements shape society at local, national, and global levels. From grassroots efforts to international campaigns, these collective actions address issues ranging from neighborhood concerns to worldwide challenges like climate change.
Movements come in various forms, including reform, revolutionary, resistance, and identity-based. They follow a lifecycle from emergence to decline, with success influenced by factors like resource mobilization, framing strategies, and political opportunities.
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The #MeToo movement is a social movement against sexual harassment and sexual assault that emerged in 2017. It began as a social media campaign to highlight the widespread prevalence of these issues, particularly in the workplace, and to encourage victims to come forward with their stories in order to hold perpetrators accountable.
Term 1 of 51
The #MeToo movement is a social movement against sexual harassment and sexual assault that emerged in 2017. It began as a social media campaign to highlight the widespread prevalence of these issues, particularly in the workplace, and to encourage victims to come forward with their stories in order to hold perpetrators accountable.
Term 1 of 51
Social movements are organized efforts by a large group of people to achieve a specific goal, often aimed at promoting or resisting changes in society. These movements can be local, national, or global and involve collective actions outside of established institutions.
Collective behavior: Spontaneous and relatively unstructured behavior by large numbers of individuals acting with or being influenced by a common sentiment.
Grassroots movement: A type of social movement that begins from the bottom up, originating among the people at a local level before spreading wider.
Civil disobedience: The active, professed refusal to obey certain laws, demands, or commands of a government or occupying power without resorting to physical violence.
Grassroots refers to a movement or initiative that emerges organically from the common people, rather than being initiated or directed by an organization or governing body. It emphasizes a bottom-up approach to social and political change, where individuals and local communities drive the momentum and direction of the movement.
Social Movements: Collective efforts by people to bring about or resist social change, often driven by shared interests, grievances, or ideologies.
Activism: The practice of taking action to bring about political or social change, often through protests, campaigns, or other forms of civic engagement.
Community Organizing: The process of bringing people together to address common issues and problems within a local community, often with the goal of empowering marginalized groups.
Emergence is the process by which complex patterns or behaviors arise from the interactions of simpler elements. It describes how new and unexpected properties can emerge at higher levels of a system that are not directly predictable from the individual components at lower levels.
Self-Organization: The ability of a system to spontaneously organize itself into a more complex structure or pattern without external direction or control.
Complex Adaptive Systems: Systems composed of many interconnected and interdependent parts that can adapt and evolve over time in response to changes in their environment.
Nonlinearity: The property of a system where the output is not directly proportional to the input, leading to unpredictable and often unexpected behaviors.
Resource mobilization refers to the process by which social movements acquire and utilize various resources, such as money, people, and organizational infrastructure, to achieve their goals and enact social change. It is a critical concept in understanding the dynamics and effectiveness of social movements.
Social Movements: Collective actions by people with shared interests and goals aimed at bringing about or resisting social change.
Collective Action: The joint action taken by a group of people to achieve a common objective or address a shared concern.
Organizational Capacity: The ability of a social movement to effectively coordinate and mobilize its resources, including people, funding, and infrastructure.
Framing refers to the way in which information is presented and contextualized, shaping how individuals and groups perceive and interpret social issues and events. It is a crucial concept in understanding the dynamics of social movements and their ability to influence public opinion and policy.
Social Construction: The process by which people develop shared meanings and understandings about the world around them, often shaped by social, cultural, and historical factors.
Collective Action Frames: The shared understandings and interpretations that social movement actors use to mobilize and legitimize their activities.
Diagnostic Framing: The process of identifying a problem and attributing blame or responsibility for it, which is essential for mobilizing support for a social movement.
Civil rights refer to the fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed to all individuals by law, regardless of their race, color, religion, national origin, or other characteristics. These rights protect people from discrimination and ensure equal treatment and opportunities in various aspects of society, such as education, employment, housing, and public accommodations.
Discrimination: The unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of race, age, sex, or disability.
Equality: The state of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities.
Social Justice: The fair and just relation between the individual and society, as measured by the distribution of wealth, opportunities for personal activity, and social privileges.
LGBTQ+ rights refer to the legal and social rights afforded to individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and other sexual and gender minorities. These rights encompass protections against discrimination, access to equal opportunities, and the ability to live openly and freely without fear of persecution or prejudice.
Gender Identity: A person's internal sense of being male, female, neither, or other gender(s).
Sexual Orientation: A person's emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attraction to other people.
Heteronormativity: The assumption that heterosexuality is the default, normal, or preferred sexual orientation.
Anti-globalization refers to the social movement that opposes the economic and political processes of globalization, which include the integration of national economies, the spread of multinational corporations, and the increasing interdependence of countries worldwide. This movement is primarily concerned with the negative impacts of globalization on local communities, the environment, and social justice.
Globalization: The process of increased interconnectedness and interdependence of the world's economies, cultures, and populations, often driven by international trade and investment and the spread of technology.
Neoliberalism: An economic and political ideology that promotes free-market capitalism, deregulation, and the reduction of state intervention in the economy, often associated with the processes of globalization.
Localization: The process of focusing on local resources, production, and consumption, often as a reaction to the perceived negative impacts of globalization on local communities and the environment.
Reform movements are organized efforts to bring about social, political, or economic change through non-violent means. These movements often emerge in response to perceived injustices or the desire to improve the conditions of a particular group or society as a whole.
Social Movements: Organized efforts by a group of people to bring about or resist social, political, economic, or cultural change.
Collective Action: The action taken by a group of people in pursuit of shared interests or goals.
Mobilization: The process of bringing people together and organizing them to take action towards a common goal.
Revolutionary movements are organized efforts to bring about significant and rapid social, political, or economic change through unconventional or radical means. These movements often challenge the existing power structures and seek to transform the status quo, sometimes through the use of civil disobedience, protest, or even violence.
Social Movements: Collective efforts by people to bring about or resist social, political, economic, or cultural change. Revolutionary movements are a specific type of social movement that aims for more dramatic and transformative change.
Collective Action: The coordinated efforts of a group of individuals to achieve a common goal or address a shared concern. Revolutionary movements rely on collective action to mobilize people and resources towards their objectives.
Radical Change: Fundamental and comprehensive transformation that goes beyond incremental or gradual change. Revolutionary movements seek to bring about radical change in the existing social, political, or economic systems.
The Arab Spring refers to a series of pro-democracy uprisings that began in 2010 in several countries in the Middle East and North Africa. These uprisings were characterized by public demonstrations, civil disobedience, and in some cases, armed conflict, aimed at overthrowing authoritarian regimes and establishing more democratic forms of government.
Authoritarian Regime: A form of government in which a single person or a small group of people exercise absolute power without being accountable to the people.
Civil Disobedience: The act of refusing to comply with certain laws or government demands, often through nonviolent means, as an act of political protest.
Social Media: Digital platforms that enable the creation and sharing of content, as well as the facilitation of social interactions, often playing a key role in the organization and dissemination of social movements.
Resistance movements are organized efforts by a group of people to actively oppose and challenge the existing power structures, policies, or social conditions that they find oppressive or unjust. These movements often emerge in response to perceived injustices, inequalities, or the desire for social, political, or economic change.
Civil Disobedience: A form of nonviolent resistance in which individuals or groups deliberately disobey laws or government directives, often as a means of protest or to bring attention to a cause.
Social Movements: Organized efforts by a group of people to promote or resist change in the social, political, economic, or cultural sphere, often through collective action and mobilization.
Nonviolent Action: A range of tactics and strategies, such as strikes, boycotts, and demonstrations, used by resistance movements to challenge authority and bring about change without the use of violence.
The anti-apartheid movement was a global effort to end the institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination in South Africa known as apartheid. It involved a diverse range of individuals, organizations, and nations working to pressure the South African government to dismantle the apartheid system and transition to a more just, equitable, and democratic society.
Apartheid: A system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination that was enforced in South Africa from 1948 to 1994.
Divestment: The act of selling off investments, often used as a form of economic pressure to influence political change.
Sanctions: Restrictions or penalties imposed by one country or a group of countries on another to force a change in policies or behavior.
Mobilization refers to the process of activating and organizing people or resources to take collective action towards a specific goal or cause. It is a crucial aspect of social movements, where individuals and groups come together to advocate for change or address societal issues. The concept of mobilization is central to understanding the dynamics and strategies employed by social movements, as it encompasses the various ways in which people are motivated, organized, and empowered to participate in collective action.
Resource Mobilization: The process of acquiring and allocating resources, such as money, labor, and expertise, to support the goals and activities of a social movement.
Framing: The way in which a social movement presents and communicates its ideas, grievances, and solutions to potential supporters and the broader public, in order to mobilize participation and gain sympathy.
Political Opportunity Structure: The set of factors within a given political system that either facilitate or constrain the ability of social movements to mobilize and achieve their goals, such as the openness of the political system, the stability of elite alignments, and the presence of allies.
Protest is a public expression of objection, disapproval, or dissent towards a particular issue, policy, or action. It is a fundamental means by which individuals and groups can voice their concerns, challenge authority, and advocate for social, political, or economic change.
Civil Disobedience: The refusal to comply with certain laws or government demands, often carried out through nonviolent means, as an act of protest.
Social Movement: A collective effort by a group of people to bring about or resist social, political, economic, or cultural change, often through protest and collective action.
Activism: The practice of taking action to bring about political, social, or environmental change, often through protest, advocacy, or other forms of organized action.
Identity-based movements are social movements that emerge around shared identities, experiences, and grievances of a particular group. These movements seek to address issues of marginalization, discrimination, and inequality faced by the group, and to promote their collective interests and rights.
Social Movements: Social movements are collective efforts by people to bring about or resist social change through organized action.
Collective Identity: A shared sense of belonging, common experiences, and a feeling of unity that motivates individuals to participate in a social movement.
Intersectionality: The recognition that different forms of social identities, such as race, class, gender, and sexuality, intersect and create unique experiences of oppression and privilege.
Black Lives Matter (BLM) is a decentralized political and social movement that advocates for racial justice and aims to address systemic racism against Black people. It emerged in response to high-profile incidents of police brutality and racially motivated violence against African Americans. BLM has become a prominent force in shaping discussions and driving change around issues of racial equity, police accountability, and the experiences of Black communities. The BLM movement is deeply connected to the topics of media and technology, prejudice and discrimination, social movements, and social change. It has leveraged various platforms and strategies to raise awareness, mobilize supporters, and advocate for policy reforms.
Systemic Racism: The complex and interconnected ways that racism is embedded in social, political, and economic systems and institutions, creating disparities and disadvantages for people of color.
Police Brutality: The use of excessive or unnecessary force by law enforcement officers against civilians, often disproportionately affecting Black and other minority communities.
Racial Equity: The fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement of all people, regardless of race or ethnicity, with the goal of eliminating racial disparities and barriers.
The #MeToo movement is a social movement against sexual harassment and sexual assault that emerged in 2017. It began as a social media campaign to highlight the widespread prevalence of these issues, particularly in the workplace, and to encourage victims to come forward with their stories in order to hold perpetrators accountable.
Sexual Harassment: Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that creates a hostile or offensive work environment.
Intersectionality: The interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, class, and gender as they apply to a given individual or group, regarded as creating overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage.
Survivor-Centered Approach: A framework that prioritizes the needs and experiences of survivors of sexual assault and harassment, empowering them to guide the response and support process.
Collective action refers to the coordinated efforts of a group of individuals working together to achieve a common goal or address a shared issue. It involves the mobilization and organization of people to take collective steps towards a desired outcome, often in the face of challenges or obstacles that cannot be overcome individually.
Social Movements: Social movements are organized efforts by a group of people to promote or resist social change through collective action.
Collective Behavior: Collective behavior describes the spontaneous and unstructured actions of a group of people in response to a shared situation or stimulus.
Resource Mobilization: Resource mobilization is the process of acquiring and organizing the necessary resources, such as money, labor, and information, to support and sustain collective action.
Coalescence refers to the process by which separate or disconnected elements, groups, or movements come together to form a unified whole. It is a key concept in understanding the dynamics of social movements and how they evolve over time.
Collective Action: The pursuit of a common goal or interest by a group of individuals working together, often as part of a social movement.
Mobilization: The process of assembling and activating people to participate in a social movement or collective action.
Framing: The way in which a social movement or issue is presented and interpreted, shaping public understanding and support.
Bureaucratization is the process by which an organization or social system becomes increasingly structured, formalized, and governed by a set of rules, procedures, and hierarchical authority. It involves the development of specialized roles, division of labor, and the implementation of standardized processes to manage the growing complexity of an organization or society.
Formal Organization: A type of organization characterized by a clearly defined hierarchy, specialized roles, and written rules and procedures.
Rationalization: The process of making an organization or system more efficient and logical through the implementation of standardized procedures and the elimination of irrational or unnecessary elements.
Weberian Bureaucracy: A model of bureaucracy developed by sociologist Max Weber, which emphasizes characteristics such as a clear hierarchy, division of labor, written rules, and impersonal relationships.
Resource Mobilization Theory is an approach within social movement theory that emphasizes the importance of resources in the development and success of social movements. It argues that for a social movement to emerge and be successful, it must effectively gather, manage, and utilize various resources such as money, labor, and the media.
Social Movement: A collective effort by a large group of people to bring about or resist change in society.
Political Opportunity Structure: The external factors that can affect the emergence and success of a social movement, such as government stability or public support.
Collective Action: The action taken together by a group of people whose goal is to enhance their status and achieve a common objective
Social movements are organized efforts by a large group of people to achieve a specific goal, often aimed at promoting or resisting changes in society. These movements can be local, national, or global and involve collective actions outside of established institutions.
Collective behavior: Spontaneous and relatively unstructured behavior by large numbers of individuals acting with or being influenced by a common sentiment.
Grassroots movement: A type of social movement that begins from the bottom up, originating among the people at a local level before spreading wider.
Civil disobedience: The active, professed refusal to obey certain laws, demands, or commands of a government or occupying power without resorting to physical violence.
Framing theory suggests that how an issue is characterized in news reports can have an influence on how it is understood by the audience. Framing refers to the way media and other communicators present information in a way that influences perceptions and interpretations of that information.
Media Framing: The process by which the media present certain aspects of a topic while omitting others, thereby shaping the way the audience understands and perceives that issue.
Cognitive Frames: The mental structures that individuals use to organize and interpret information, which can be influenced by media framing.
Agenda-Setting Theory: The idea that the media, by focusing on certain issues, can influence the importance the public assigns to those issues.
New social movement theory is a framework that emerged in the late 20th century to explain the rise of social movements that focused on issues of identity, culture, and quality of life, rather than traditional class-based economic concerns. This theory emphasizes the role of values, beliefs, and symbolic action in mobilizing people around new social and political agendas.
Identity Politics: The political mobilization around issues of personal or group identity, such as race, gender, sexuality, or ethnicity.
Post-Material Values: Values that prioritize self-expression, quality of life, and environmental protection over material gain and economic security.
New Social Movements: Social movements that emerged in the late 20th century, such as the civil rights movement, women's movement, and environmental movement, that focused on issues of identity, culture, and lifestyle rather than traditional class-based economic concerns.
Social change encompasses the significant alterations in societal structures and cultural patterns over time. These changes can result from internal developments or external factors, influencing how societies evolve.
Social Movements: Organized efforts by groups of people to promote or resist change in society, often driving social change.
Cultural Diffusion: The spread of cultural beliefs and social activities from one group to another, contributing to social change by introducing new ideas and practices.
Technological Innovation: The development and application of new technologies that can significantly alter lifestyles, work, and communication, serving as a catalyst for social change
Political opportunity refers to the degree to which the existing political system is open or receptive to the claims and demands of social movements. It examines the external factors that facilitate or hinder the ability of social movements to mobilize and achieve their goals.
Resource Mobilization: The process by which social movements acquire and utilize resources, such as money, people, and organizational infrastructure, to support their collective action and achieve their objectives.
Political Process Theory: A theoretical framework that emphasizes the role of political opportunities, resource mobilization, and collective action frames in the emergence and success of social movements.
Collective Action Frames: The shared understandings and meanings that social movements use to mobilize and justify their collective action, often by highlighting grievances, attributing blame, and proposing solutions.
Social networks refer to the interconnected relationships and interactions among individuals, groups, or organizations. These networks shape the flow of information, resources, and influence within a social system, and are a central focus in the study of sociology.
Structural Holes: Gaps or disconnections within a social network that provide opportunities for certain individuals or groups to broker information and resources.
Weak Ties: Casual or infrequent connections between individuals in a social network, which can provide access to diverse information and resources.
Social Capital: The resources and benefits that individuals can access through their social connections and network relationships.
Ideology is a system of beliefs, values, and assumptions that shape an individual's or group's understanding of the world and guide their actions. It serves as a framework for interpreting social, political, and economic realities, and often influences the way people perceive and engage with social movements.
Hegemony: The dominance of a particular ideology or set of beliefs, often maintained through cultural, political, or economic means, that becomes the accepted and unquestioned norm within a society.
Framing: The process by which social movements strategically present their goals, grievances, and solutions in a way that resonates with potential supporters and the broader public.
Collective Identity: The shared sense of belonging, values, and goals that unify members of a social movement and motivate their collective action.
Social change encompasses the significant alterations in societal structures and cultural patterns over time. These changes can result from internal developments or external factors, influencing how societies evolve.
Social Movements: Organized efforts by groups of people to promote or resist change in society, often driving social change.
Cultural Diffusion: The spread of cultural beliefs and social activities from one group to another, contributing to social change by introducing new ideas and practices.
Technological Innovation: The development and application of new technologies that can significantly alter lifestyles, work, and communication, serving as a catalyst for social change