1. Social Movements

2. Social Movement: a long term conscious effort to promote or prevent social change. Social movement may develop around any issue of public concern
If you were going to start a social movement, what would it be?
What is the social movement?
What is its purpose?
Why should people join this social movement?

3. Types of Social Movements
Social Change - alterations in various aspects of society over time
Social Movements – long-term conscious effort to promote or prevent social change

4. Reactionary Movements
Reverse current social trends
Members are suspicious or hostile toward social change
Want to return society to way they believe it existed in the past
Ex: Ku Klux Klan, Protestant Reformation, Chinese Communist Revolution

5. Conservative Movements
Try to protect what they see as society’s prevailing values
Consider change a threat to those values
Ex. The Religious Right’s view of “family values”

6. Revisionary Movements
Use legal channels to seek change
Support the existing social system as a whole
Usually focuses on a single issue
Use political campaigns, lobbyists, and the courts
Ex. Women’s Suffrage, Civil Rights Movement

7. Revolutionary Movements
Total and radical change of the existing social structure
Ultimate aim is to overthrow existing government and replace it
Involve violent or illegal actions and can result in drastic and widespread social change
Arises when people see no chance for reform
Ex. American Revolution, Bolshevik Revolution, Fidel Castro’s Revolution

8. Life Cycles of Social Movements

9. Agitation
Belief that a problem exists and that solutions need to be found
Small group of people with strong commitment attempt to stir up awareness
Potential social movements usually die out at this stage

10. Legitimation Movement becomes more respectable and gains acceptance
Leaders (previously dismissed) as accepted as spokespeople of a just cause
Authorities begin to see concerns as legitimate
Attracts media attention
Commitment remains high, particularly among new members

11. Bureaucratization Organizational structure becomes more formal
Movement develops ranked structure of authority, official policies, efficient strategies for the future
Original goals are sometimes swept aside as more time and energy are needed to handle day-to-day operations

12. Institutionalization
Has become an established part of society
Bureaucrats replace idealists who helped found the movement
Often care more about position than goals of the movement
Movement frequently resists proposals for change
Members drift away, feeling that movement has abandoned original cause
Movement goes into decline

13. The Labor Movement

14. Relative Deprivation Theory
Social movements arise when large numbers of people feel economically or socially deprived of what they think they deserve
Not measured in absolutes, but by comparison to others or what people expect society to provide
People join movements because they feel deprived relative to other people or groups with whom they identify
People seek to gain access to things they lack but others have
Higher incomes, better conditions, broader political rights
Used to explain revolutionary movements
Karl Marx and houses. As long as the worker and all his neighbors live in small houses, they will be content. If a palace arises in the neighborhood the worker will feel more uncomfortable and more dissatisfied, more cramped within his walls.

15. Resource Mobilization Theory
Most sociologists believe that movements only occur if people are successful in organization and effective use of resources
Not even the most ill-treated group with the most just cause can bring about change without resources
A body of supporters
Financial resources
Access to the media

16. A body of supporters Financial Resources Access to the Media
Talented people who have the time and skills to work toward change
College students are most likely
Leadership and organizational abilities
Leaders must be charismatic and well spoken
Financial Resources
Money to print posters and leaflets
Travel to demonstrations and rallies
Rent meeting places and hire press agents and lawyers
Encourage legal proceedings to enact social change
Access to the Media
Creates exposure and allows more people to become aware, educated, and open the movement