Social Movements
Definition
Social movements are collective efforts by a group of individuals who come together to bring about social, political, or cultural change. They often aim to challenge existing power structures and advocate for specific causes or issues.
Analogy
Imagine a group of people on a crowded dance floor. Each person has their own unique dance moves, but when they join together in sync, they create a powerful and attention-grabbing routine that can't be ignored. Similarly, social movements bring together individuals with different backgrounds and perspectives to create a unified force for change.
Related terms
Interest Groups: Interest groups are organized associations that represent the interests of specific sectors of society. Unlike social movements, interest groups focus on influencing government policies rather than broader societal change.
Social Change: Social change refers to the transformation of societal norms, values, behaviors, or institutions over time. It can be brought about by various factors including social movements.
Activism: Activism involves taking action to promote or oppose certain causes or issues. It can take many forms such as protests, demonstrations, lobbying, or online campaigns.
"Social Movements" appears in:
Study guides (2)
Additional resources (2)
Practice Questions (4)
- How do social movements differ from interest groups?
- What is a disadvantage of social movements with limited organizational hierarchies?
- What is a common goal of social movements advocating for LGBTQ+ rights?
- What is a key characteristic of social movements?
Resources
© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.