GOVT : Comparative Social Movements Course Review
Review: 1) Definitions Jasper and Goodwin Tilly Freeman 2) Social Movement Theory Resource Mobilization Political Opportunity Social Networks Cultural Analysis
Course Review Review: 3) Core Concepts Mass Psychology Rational Choice: Theories of the Individual Collective Action/Free Rider Problem Theories of Participation Theories of the State and Legitimacy Theories of Power Theories of the Media Theories of Violence
Course Review 1) Definitions Jasper and Goodwin: “SM are conscious, concerted, and sustained efforts by ordinary people to change some aspect of their society by using extra-institutional means.” (3) Tilly: Campaigns that “link Claimants, objects of claims, and the “public,” public repertoires and WUNC: Worthiness, Unity, Numbers, Commitment.” Freeman: “A Pre-existing Communication that is Co-optable to the ideas of the emerging SM, and a event or the emergence of a leader.”
Course Review 2) Social Movement Theory: Resource Mobilization: Stresses the importance of good Organization. Political Opportunity: Stresses the opportunity for opposition, specifically the lessen of state or private oppression. Social Networks: Stresses the importance of existing political, political, ideological networks. Cultural Analysis: Stresses the importance of ideas, either political or cultural.
Course Review 3) Core Concepts Mass Psychology: Is it rational to Participate in a SM? Rational Choice: Individual is capable of ranking preferences (Market/consumer model of society). Collective Action/Free Rider Problem: Why participate when the benefits are mostly collective (rather than selective)? Theories of Participation: What personal (material, solidary, purposive) or social (family, friends, orgs) factors compel a person to participate in a SM?
Social Movement Theory Theories of Participation: Material: “tangible rewards that are easily converted into money” or status. Solidary: “intangible rewards that stem from social interaction, like status, deference, and friendship.” Purposive: Being involved in a worthy cause.* Political Participation in High Risk Situations (Loveman) In high risk situations, solidary and purposive often outweigh material incentives. (481) *Source: Rosenstone and Hansen
Course Review 3) Core Concepts Theories of the State and Legitimacy: Origins of the state (political liberalism) and claims to legitimate governance/power and to the use of force. Theories of Power: Pluralism: System is unfair, but open, grievances can be acted upon. (Inaction: Apathy) Agenda Setting: System is procedural manipulated. (Inaction: Rational?) Hegemony: the Reshaping of one’s own perception of their interests preempts grievances (Inaction: Power).
Course Review 3) Core Concepts Theories of the Media: Focus of the media as an economic institution (conflict, events, personalities, leaders). Theories of Violence: State versus non-state, strategic, philosophical questions: When is violence legitimate?