Social movements rely on strategic resource use and effective framing to succeed. highlights the importance of organizational factors, while explains how movements shape public perception through strategic messaging.
These theories offer complementary perspectives on social movements. Resource focuses on tangible assets and strategic choices, while framing emphasizes the power of narrative and meaning-making in mobilizing support and influencing public opinion.
Resource Mobilization and Framing in Social Movements
Elements of resource mobilization theory
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Organizational and strategic factors drive social movements with rational actors making strategic choices and resources crucial for success
Key resources include financial support, human capital (skills, expertise, labor), , media access, and public legitimacy
Organizational structures involve formal organizations as mobilizing agents and professional activists
Strategic resource use encompasses allocation decisions and tactics selection based on availability
Application explains variations in , highlights resource acquisition and management importance, and emphasizes external support role
Framing in public perception
Process constructs meaning and interprets events shaping issue presentation and understanding
Limitations: may underestimate grievances and emotions, potential overemphasis on formal organizations
Framing Theory strengths: addresses cultural aspects, explains public discourse shaping
Limitations: difficult to measure frame effects empirically, may overlook structural constraints
strengths: focuses on identity-based movements (LGBTQ+ rights), addresses cultural dimensions
Limitations: may not apply to traditional movements (labor unions), potential overemphasis on contemporary movement novelty
Collective Behavior Theory strengths: explains spontaneous actions (flash mobs), addresses emotional aspects of crowd behavior
Limitations: may pathologize movements as irrational, underestimates strategic aspects
Synthesis importance: multi-theoretical approaches, complementary nature of theories, context-specific application need
Key Terms to Review (16)
Charles Tilly: Charles Tilly was a prominent American sociologist and historian known for his extensive work on social movements, collective action, and political processes. His theories emphasized how social movements arise from the interactions of social groups and the structures within which they operate, highlighting the role of historical context in shaping these dynamics.
Cognitive Liberation: Cognitive liberation refers to the process through which individuals or groups become aware of their ability to challenge and change oppressive social structures. This concept highlights the mental shift that occurs when people recognize their own agency and the potential for collective action, fueling social movements and activism.
Collective Action: Collective action refers to the collaborative efforts of individuals or groups to achieve a common goal or address shared concerns, often in response to social problems. This type of action is essential in shaping public policy as it mobilizes communities, encourages stakeholder engagement, and can lead to significant societal change through social movements and grassroots organizing efforts.
Counter-movement: A counter-movement is a social movement that emerges in opposition to another social movement, often aiming to resist or reverse the changes proposed by the original movement. These movements can be seen as a reaction to perceived threats to established values, norms, or power structures, and they often seek to maintain or restore the status quo. Counter-movements can be influential in shaping public opinion and policy by mobilizing resources and support against the goals of the opposing movement.
Framing Theory: Framing theory is a communication theory that explains how the presentation of information influences audience perception and interpretation. It focuses on the way media and social movements construct narratives around issues, shaping public understanding and opinion through selective emphasis on certain aspects while downplaying others.
Mobilization: Mobilization refers to the process of organizing individuals, groups, or communities to take action towards a common goal, often in the context of social movements. It involves gathering resources, raising awareness, and motivating people to participate in collective efforts aimed at bringing about social change. This process is crucial for the effectiveness of social movements, as it determines their ability to unite supporters and achieve their objectives.
Morris Fiorina: Morris Fiorina is a prominent political scientist known for his work on American politics, particularly in the area of political behavior and public opinion. His research often focuses on the dynamics of political parties and the impact of polarization in society, contributing significantly to the understanding of social movements and collective action.
Movement success: Movement success refers to the effectiveness and outcomes achieved by social movements in bringing about change or addressing social issues. This concept is often evaluated based on the extent to which a movement meets its goals, influences public opinion, and results in policy changes or societal transformations. The measurement of success can vary significantly, as it can be defined in terms of short-term wins or long-term systemic changes.
New social movement theory: New social movement theory refers to a framework that analyzes social movements emerging in the late 20th century, which focus on issues beyond traditional economic and political concerns, emphasizing identity, culture, and lifestyle. This theory highlights how these movements are often organized around social and cultural issues, like environmentalism, feminism, and human rights, rather than solely class-based struggles.
Political process theory: Political process theory is a framework used to understand how social movements emerge, develop, and achieve their goals through the political system. It emphasizes the importance of political opportunities, organizational resources, and collective action in shaping social movements, arguing that these elements interact to facilitate or hinder mobilization efforts. This theory also highlights how changes in political context can create openings for social movements to influence policy and effect change.
Radicalization: Radicalization is the process through which individuals or groups come to adopt extreme political, social, or religious ideologies that reject or seek to change existing systems or norms. This often leads to an increased willingness to use violence or support radical movements in pursuit of their beliefs. Understanding this term helps to grasp how social movements can emerge and evolve, particularly when addressing grievances that are perceived as being ignored or suppressed.
Relative deprivation theory: Relative deprivation theory posits that social movements arise when individuals perceive a discrepancy between their actual social status and their desired status. This feeling of deprivation can lead to frustration and mobilization, as people come together to address perceived inequalities and injustices in society. It emphasizes that people's sense of deprivation is often relative to others, which can be a key driver for collective action.
Resource mobilization theory: Resource mobilization theory is a sociological perspective that focuses on the importance of resources, such as money, manpower, and organizational support, in the development and success of social movements. It emphasizes that social movements arise not just from grievances or social injustices, but also from the strategic use of available resources to create collective action and achieve goals. This theory highlights the need for effective organization and mobilization of resources to translate individual discontent into coordinated group efforts.
Social Change: Social change refers to significant alterations over time in behavior patterns, cultural values, norms, and social institutions within a society. It often arises from various factors, including economic shifts, technological advancements, and social movements that challenge the status quo. Understanding social change involves recognizing its role in conflict and struggle, particularly how it can lead to the redistribution of power and resources in society.
Social networks: Social networks are structures made up of individuals or organizations that are connected by one or more specific types of relationships, such as friendships, professional ties, or shared interests. These networks play a crucial role in shaping the flow of information and resources within societies, influencing social dynamics, and impacting issues like racial and ethnic inequality as well as the organization and effectiveness of social movements.
Social solidarity: Social solidarity refers to the interconnectedness and sense of belonging that individuals feel within a group or society, often stemming from shared values, beliefs, and goals. It plays a crucial role in fostering cooperation and cohesion among members, which is essential for the stability and functioning of social movements as they rally individuals around common causes and objectives.