Social movements

Definition

Social movements are organized efforts by a large group of people to achieve a specific significant change in society, often related to human rights, social policies, or political processes. These movements can operate within a country or as part of global campaigns and typically use various forms of protest and advocacy to accomplish their goals.

Related terms

Civil Disobedience: The refusal to comply with certain laws or to pay taxes and fines, as a peaceful form of political protest.

Grassroots Movement: A movement driven by the politics of a community's members; it emphasizes the power of ordinary people to create change from the ground up rather than top-down mandates.

Advocacy Groups: Organizations that seek to influence public policy and resource allocation decisions within political, economic, and social systems and institutions