Sidney Tarrow

Definition

Sidney Tarrow is a prominent political scientist known for his work on social movements and contentious politics. He has extensively studied how social movements interact with political structures, especially focusing on the concept of political opportunity structures, which explore how external political contexts can influence the success and strategies of social movements. His theories help illuminate how grievances, resources, and opportunities shape collective action and the emergence of both ideological and single-issue groups.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Sidney Tarrow is well-known for co-authoring the book 'From Movement to Party in the United States,' which examines how social movements transition into political parties.
2. His concept of 'contentious politics' focuses on how ordinary people engage in collective action to challenge authorities and pursue social change.
3. Tarrow emphasizes the importance of timing and context in determining the effectiveness of social movements, highlighting that political opportunities can shift rapidly.
4. He developed the idea that social movements are influenced by pre-existing political structures, meaning that the same movement can have different outcomes based on its environment.
5. Tarrow's research underscores that grievances alone are not enough for successful mobilization; access to resources and favorable political conditions are also crucial.

Review Questions

• How does Sidney Tarrow's concept of political opportunity structures help us understand the dynamics of social movements?
  • Sidney Tarrow's concept of political opportunity structures provides insight into how external political factors shape the strategies and success of social movements. By examining variables such as governmental openness, alliances, and institutional stability, we can see why some movements thrive while others falter. This framework helps analyze how shifts in these structures create windows of opportunity or constraint for collective action.
• In what ways do Sidney Tarrow's theories relate to ideological and single-issue groups within social movements?
  • Tarrow's theories suggest that both ideological and single-issue groups are influenced by their surrounding political opportunities and resources. Ideological groups may leverage broader frameworks to connect with potential allies and gain support, while single-issue groups can capitalize on specific grievances that resonate with public sentiments. Understanding this relationship allows us to see how different types of groups strategize and adapt in response to their environments.
• Evaluate how Tarrow's insights on grievances, resources, and political opportunities contribute to our understanding of successful social movements.
  • Tarrow’s insights emphasize that successful social movements must navigate a complex interplay between grievances, available resources, and political opportunities. While grievances ignite passion and mobilization, they must be paired with sufficient resources—like funding and organization—and favorable political contexts that allow for engagement with authorities. This multifaceted view helps us assess why some movements achieve their goals while others do not, revealing the necessity of a strategic approach in activism.

Related terms

Political Opportunity Structure: The external factors that influence the likelihood of success for social movements, including the openness of the political system, the stability of political alignments, and the presence of influential allies.

Social Movements: Organized efforts by groups of people to promote or resist change in society, often characterized by collective action around specific grievances or causes.

Collective Action: Action taken together by a group of people to achieve a common goal, often seen in social movements where individuals mobilize around shared interests or grievances.