1. Social Change, Social Movements, and Collective Action
Chapter 17
Social Change, Social Movements, and Collective Action
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Social Change
Social change involves variations over time in every aspect of the social world.
This issue has been at the heart of sociology since its inception.
Sociology emerged during periods of great social upheaval.
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Social Movements
A social movement is a sustained and intentional collective effort to bring about or retard social change.
Characteristics of a social movement include
a collective effort that involves a significant number of people;
sustained for several years;
intentionally brought into being; and
outside established institutional channels.
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Social Movements
The “TEA” (Taxed Enough Already) Party
Tends to hold ideology synonymous with the more conservative Republican positon(s)
Emerged as a protest against high taxes and governmental interventions
Figure 17.1
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Social Movements
The Women’s Movement
Based on feminism, the belief that women are equal to men
The Women’s Movement in the United States
First wave in the 1840’s – suffrage and voting rights
Second wave began in the 1960s as a direct attack against the system of patriarchy
Third wave occurred in the early 1990s to address issues of racism, classism, homophobia, and systemic violence against women
The Global Women’s Movement
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Social Movements
Gay and Lesbian Movements
World War II and the Lavender Store
A government-sponsored attack on sexual minorities and those who engage in same-sex behaviors
U.S.-Based Homophile Movement
Stonewall (1969)
The beginning of the modern gay rights movement
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Social Movements
Gay and Lesbian Movements
Lesbian Herstory
Homosexuality removed from the DSM in 1973 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual)
Harvey Milk: the first openly gay candidate elected to a major political office
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Social Movements
Gay and Lesbian Movements
HIV/AIDS, ACT UP, and Queer Nation
The Ongoing Fight for Marriage Equality
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Social Movements
The Civil Rights Movement
1955 Montgomery, Alabama, boycott of segregated city buses
The Montgomery Bus Boycott catapulted Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. into the national spotlight, and began to focus public consciousness on the issues of racial inequality.
Civil Rights Act of 1964 banned discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion, and national identity.
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Social Movements
The Civil Rights Movement
Other national organizations were formed to address a wide variety of issues and social problems faced by minorities
Following the successes of the coalition of civil rights organizations working for Black equality, other minorities formed movements to address their own specific racial and ethnic issues, including the American Indian Movement, the Brown Berets, and the Black Panthers.
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11. Emergence, Globalization, and Impact of Social Movements
Factors in the Emergence of a Social Movement
A set of grievances
Opportunities within the political system
Spatial arrangements (the physical proximity of those involved)
Availability of resources
Resource Mobilization Theory
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12. Emergence, Globalization, and Impact of Social Movements
Resources and Mobilization of Social Movements
Material resources
Organizational resources
Human resources
Moral resources
Cultural resources
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13. Emergence, Globalization, and Impact of Social Movements
Even if not successful, social movements leave their mark on the society within which they take place.
When successful, social movements leave a strong legacy for, and a powerful impact on, later movements.
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14. The Internet, Globalization, and Social Movements
The Internet has proven to be an important way of involving and organizing large numbers of people.
People do not need to be in close proximity to be involved in a social movement.
People can also communicate through the use of mobile phones.
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Collective Action
Action generated or engaged in by a group of people. It serves to encourage or retard social change.
Social movements are different from other forms of collective action because they are intentional and may be long-lasting.
Emergent norm theory: new norms emerge in light of some precipitating event and they guide the non-traditional actions that characterize collective action.
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Collective Action
Crowds: temporary gatherings of a large number of people in a common geographic location at a specific time.
Riots: temporary, unruly forms of collective behavior that cause damage to persons and/or property
Negative views
Positive effects
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Collective Behavior
Disasters are events that suddenly, unexpectedly, and severely disrupt and harm the environment, social structure, people, and their property.
They are distinguished from accidents by their far greater impact.
Figure 17.2 and 17.3
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Collective Behavior
Human Involvement in Disasters
Humans can play a role in disasters and exacerbate their consequences by, for example, building on fault lines.
Some disasters are the result of human error or corruption.
Examples include the 2010 BP oil rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico and the 1986 space shuttle Challenger explosion.
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Collective Behavior
The Effects of Disasters
Individuals and collectivities are traumatized for long periods.
Disasters worsen existing inequalities.
Disasters can be a time when people and communities come together in unprecedented ways.
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Collective Behavior
Globalization and Cyber-Activism
The Internet has given those opposed to globalization a tool with which to mount their opposition on a global basis.
World Social Forum
World Huaren Federation
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21. Globalization, Consumption, the Internet, and Social Change
Social change is intimately connected to social movements.
Social change is particularly characteristic of the 3 signature concerns in the text: Globalization, Consumption, and the Digital world.
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22. Globalization, Consumption, the Internet, and Social Change
Globalization as the Ultimate Social Change
It could be argued that globalization is the most important social change in history.
“Global Liquids”
“Global Flows”
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23. Globalization, Consumption, the Internet, and Social Change
Globalization and the Internet
The Internet has expedited globalization and is a profound form and aspect of globalization.
Spam
The main form is unsolicited bulk .
It stems from virtually everywhere on the globe, goes everywhere, and is impossible to contain.
Computer Viruses
Science fiction in the 1960s; was created (likely) in 1986
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24. Globalization, Consumption, the Internet, and Social Change
Consumption and Globalization
Hyperconsumption and Hyperdebt
Local and Regional Differences
The Globalization of Consumers
Global Brands
Figure 17.4
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