“Social Movement Organizations” McCarthy and Zald

Social Movement: Not Adequately Studied Studying Social Movements Scholars focused on deprivation and beliefs and ignored the “strategic dilemmas” of SM leaders and organizers.

Resource Mobilization New Theory: Resource Mobilization RM seeks to address questions relating to the “strategic dilemmas” of SM. Studying Social Movements as “Firms”

Concepts Central to Resource Mobilization: SMS: Social Movement Sector A group of SMIs: All SMIs in a society SMI: Social Movement Industry Social Movement Industry: SMs that share goals SMO: Social Movement Organization Is an Org that identifies its goals with the preferences of a SM SM: Social Movement Concerns both preferences and org action for change. Resource Mobilization

Perspective Emphasizing Deprivation and Beliefs Initial Focus was on Grievances The common assumption was that “shared grievances and generalized beliefs” were preconditions for the emergence of a social movement. Others scholars, like Tilly, have focused on political processes by which SM emerge. Resource Mobilization

McCarthy and Zald: Down play Grievances Grievances are a part of SM formation, but they play a secondary role in organization. What matters is organization and elite resources and support. Resource Mobilization

RM takes as a central question Olson’s collective action problem: How do we explain collective behavior from a neo-classical perspective where its assumed that everyone seeks to maximizes their self-interest? Resource Mobilization

Key aspects of Resource Mobilization: 1) A study of resources (money and labor) is crucial to understanding SM. 2) Focus on the organization needed to attract and use resources. 3) Role of individuals and groups outside the SM. 4) Supply and Demand analysis of the flow of resources to SM. Resource Mobilization

TraditionalResource Mobilization Support Base SM based on grievancesSM may or may not be based on Grievances. Others (Conscience Adherents) may provide the support for the SM. StrategyTactics less clear, and based on prior political history. Clarify strategic tasks of SM: -Mobilize supporters -Converting mass publics, Relations to Society Focus on how environment shapes SM Focus on how SM utilizes the environment. Resource Mobilization