Social Movement Theory
Introduction
A social movement is a loosely formed but sustained campaign in support of a social goal, typically either the fulfilment or the prevention of a certain change in society’s structure or values (Killian, 2020). Although social movements differ in size, they are all essentially collective meaning that they result from the more or less the casually coming together of people whose relationships are not defined by rules and procedures but who merely share a common perspective on society (Killian, 2020).
Humphreys (2016) argues that such movements tend to be organised around a particular social issue or a topic that people collectively agree should be addressed politically, economically, or culturally. Social issues are constructed through the actions and language of activists, journalists, and the general public (Humphreys, 2016). For an example regarding this matter, Humphreys (2016) cites Soergel (2015) where he writes that when the kidnapping occurred in Nigeria, it moved from a news story to a situation in which action was demanded by raising awareness, linking it with other issues, and providing scripts for public action. Through mediated publics, issues take shape and become causes for action (Humphreys, 2016).
Aspects of Social Movements
Killian (2020) explains that a movement is not simply a maintained crowd, since a crowd does not sit on organisational and motivational systems but is capable of sustaining membership through periods of inaction and waiting. Furthermore, crowd mechanisms cannot be used to accomplish communication and coordination of activity over a wide area, such as a nation. A movement is more like a mixture of organization and improvisation (Killian, 2020). Killian (2020) argues that there is usually one (or more) system that gives identity, leadership, and coordination to the movement, but the boundaries of the movement are never equal with the organizations.
Social movements and social change
All definitions of social movement reflect the approach that social movements are by definition related to social change. They do not contain the activities of people as members of stable social groups with established, unquestioned structures, norms, and values (Killian, 2020).
Killian (2020) point out that the actions of members of social movements do not reflect the expectation that the social order will continue as it is but instead it reflects the faith that people collectively can bring about or prevent social change if they will dedicate themselves to the pursuit of that specific goal. Uncommitted observers may view these goals as illusions, but to the members, as these goals are hopes that are quite capable of achieving (Killian, 2020).
When asking a member of a social movement his or her activities, that individual would never reply, “I do this because it has always been done” or “It’s just the custom.” As he is aware that his behaviour is influenced by the goal of the movement: so that it can bring a change in the way things have “always” been carried out or sometimes to prevent such a change from coming about (Killian, 2020).
Social movement in Elections
In the article “Political movements and Election Day consequences” the Ohio State University (2020) explain that social movements can have an effect on voter turnout or behaviour. As it is written in the article, the civil rights activities and movements of the late 1950s and into the 1960s, activated black voters, particularly in the North. This made it possible for Blacks in many areas for the first time to register to vote and actually turn out at elections. So they can activate people. And according to the author, it is thought that the civil rights movement is probably the best example of that.
Not long after that, there were a number of anti-Vietnam protests and social movements, and they again activated voters (OSU, 2020). With the civil rights movement, we are talking about increased registration and turnout by Blacks in the south. You can almost track those increases from the time that those social movements started (OSU, 2020).
The OSU (2020) also explains that if one thinks about the women’s suffrage movement, that was certainly one where there were peaceful marches that built the pressure over time for an amendment to the constitution to give women the right to vote.
Does social media play into all of this?
According to the OSU (2020), social media has been playing a very important role as nowadays it is the media in general and has a mobilising effect. These movements usually start with inspiration or an occurrence of some kind. In the case of Black Lives Matters, the occurrence was a shooting. It was concentrated initially in the area of the shooting but it spread quickly through social media. There is nothing like the ability of social media to carry the message in a broadway. It is way harder to do when people are more remote from one another (OSU, 2020).
How are these movements used by Politicians?
The OSU (2020) explain that in 1972 George McGovern was able to carry his way to the nomination for President on the Democratic side because of his anti-war stances. And in 1968, Hubert Humphrey, the Democratic nominee, probably lost the presidency because of the reaction against him by people who were pro-Vietnam and the reluctance of the most ardent anti-Vietnam activists to support him (OSU, 2020).
In conclusion, politicians are always very quick to side themselves with what they think is a protest, a counter-protest or a movement that will win them votes.
References:
Humphreys, A., 2016. Social Media: Enduring Principles. New York: Oxford University Press.
Killian, 2020. Social Movement | Definition, Types, Theories, & Facts. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 26 December 2020, from https://www.britannica.com/topic/social-movement
OSU, 2020. Political Movements And Election Day Consequences. Ohio State Insights. Retrieved 26 December 2020, from https://insights.osu.edu/politics/social-movements-voting
