Social Movements

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses the deprivation theory and mass society theory but shows how they are insufficient for explaining why individuals join social movements. The paper then discusses the collectivist theory known as the structural strain theory that argues that social movements are initiated through the combination of many factors.

From the Paper:

"As a result of the democratic system that the majority of countries now possess, the frequency and intensity of social movements have become even more evident than in previous centuries. In general social movements can be defined as any broad social alliances of people who are connected through there shared interest in blocking or affecting social change. The majority of social movements are not completely organized nor do they have a centralized infrastructure, rather they are a melting pot of individuals who have shared interests."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Melucci, Alberto 1995: The Process of Collective Identity, in: Johnston, Hank and Klandermans, Bert (ed.): Social Movements and Culture, London, S. 41-64
• Cohen, Jean L. 1985: Strategy or Identity: New Theoretical Paradigms and Contemporary Social Movements in: Social Research, Vol. 52, No. 4, S. 663-716
• Klandermans, Bert 1997: The Social psychology of Protest, Oxford, Blackwell Publishers
• Klandermans, Bert (Hg.) 1989: Organizing for Change: Social Movement Organisations in Europe and the United States, Greenwich (Conn.)

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