Abstract In this discussion of globalization and world economy, the writer examines how historically, socialmovements have arisen, when groups of people have come together to change a larger structural force that controlled their lives. The writer mentions that they are sometimes defined as networks of interaction between actors. The writer argues that while globalization has both aided and hindered collective actions and the formations of socialmovements, the net effect is favorable.
From the Paper "Globalization has come to be a shorthand term for the process by which the world's economy and thus its economic power structure has been knit together into an increasingly interlinked and integrated network. This process has given rise to a controversy that is itself global in scope. As meetings of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and similar bodies representative of global economic elite interests shift from one continent or another, anti-globalization protesters follow them. A few may do ..."
Abstract This paper discusses socialmovements with regards to Andrews, Whittier, and the documentaries providing convincing evidence that the powers of socialmovements are derived primarily from injustice in society. The paper further discusses how social, economic, or political conditions can no longer be tolerated by an oppressed group of people, socialmovements often arise, for such movements enable the participants to affect social change. These movements rarely achieve all of their goals because they always generate resistance, but they have often succeeded in attaining many of their goals.
Abstract In this paper the writer answers a series of five questions regarding socialmovements. The writer discusses how socialmovements are formed. The functioning of socialmovements is examined. In this article, the writer also discusses how socialmovements and their actions impact society.
From the Paper "The purpose of this brief essay is to answer a series of questions regarding social movements and their consequences. Collective action, the difficulty of establishing effective social movements, the role played by organizations in social and political movements, methods used to facilitate social change and the focus or revolutionary content of social movements are at issue herein. People act collectively in democratic and non-democratic regimes to garner strength and to promote mutual issues. Rena Palloff has noted that social change efforts attempt to impact ... "
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that what is fundamentally striking about transnational socialmovements (TSMs) is the extent to which they are able to reach beyond the restrictive confines of the nation state. The writer points out that, due to the ever-increasing opportunities that are afforded by international travel and communication, such as email and the Internet, TSMs have a way of reaching new audiences, organizing them in new collectives and voicing common grievances in new ways. The writer also notes that members of TNMs may not be working class, but they do share the common perception of themselves as small people who are being overlooked by an increasingly powerful group of leaders that are calling the shots from places and spaces in which individual national politics may not exert sufficient influence. The writer concludes that even though theories of socialmovements might be seen as outdated because of the global context in which movements now operate, this should not gloss over the common features that TNMs do have with socialmovements before them and with the insights that socialmovement theories can provide.
Outline:
Introduction
Objectives of Transnational SocialMovements Chief Characteristics of Transnational SocialMovements From Theories of Class to Post-Industrial Society
Conclusions
From the Paper "Such protests were organized quite deliberately to coincide with and confront the agenda that was being put forward by intergovernmental conferences. Objecting to the global spread of the neo-liberal economic model, protestors were keen to take to task not only the governments of the leading industrialized nations, but also to criticize international organizations, such as the World Trade Organization, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, as well as multinational corporations, which, in the protestors' views, were setting out policies that could not be countered if objections remained local and national-specific.
"Even though the nature of this movement is contested, it would still be possible to note the chief concerns of protestors as being objection to the globalization of a neo-liberal, monetarist economic philosophy. The strength of the protests against this doctrine are related to what its critics in the anti-capitalist movement see as the extreme negativity of its effects."
Abstract A paper that shows that in a world of expanding business and human mobility there is an increasing prevalence of corporations extending internationally, resulting in many political and social implications. The author finds that although conventionally, one would join a lobby firm in order to influence government policy through bureaucratic channels; in light of growing corporate globalization, one can argue that these conventional channels are no longer able to reflect the demands and interests of the general population. He finds that although lobby firms possess substantial resources in lobbying government, it is in the flexible structure of informal grassroots organizations that people will be able to influence policy in a globalized world. This paper demonstrates the effectiveness of transnational networks in influencing policy by highlighting the insufficiencies of lobby firms, outlining the characteristics of socialmovements that make them effective, and illustrating the application of these tactics in specific campaigns. Ultimately, it is in these informal movements that the demands of the general public will be heard. The paper focuses on Canada's experience.
From the Paper "Ultimately, in a world increasingly dominated by multinational corporations, the future of public interests lies in the methods of grassroots organizations. Lobby firms have become ineffective in representing interests of the public, as they are now puppets of the big business interests who hire them. Likewise, governments have ceased to become the focus of policy change, as they too, have subordinated themselves to the interests of multinational corporations. Thus, it is in the flexible and adaptive structures of grassroots lobbying that Canadian voices and interests will be heard in the global arena. The reality that the strength of corporations in this arena is indubitable; yet, it is in the mobilization of collective action from grassroots organizations that will keep these corporations in check and ensure global social justice."
Tags: gatt, greenpeace, mai, movements, multinational, shell, social, wto
Abstract This paper examines different socialmovements and the different factors that have enabled them to retain, and even add to, the ranks of their membership, over extended periods of time. The paper studies and compares radical economic movements, radical religious movements, and reformist movements in order to shed light on this topic.
From the Paper "Patterns of holding membership ranks at a stable level may vary as well for leaders of the groups and members of the rank and file membership. For animal rights activists, to take one example, there is often a quite flexible definition of what constitutes animal rights as ethical lifestyle, and the proper ways to go about pursuing the goals of the movement. However, at the higher levels of the movement, composed of activists whose entire lives revolve around animal rights, there is often a strong, core cause and code of behavior that unites them. This is because, almost like a religion, the movement is so totally consuming, requiring a certain way of eating, dressing, and often transgressing the laws of the land in terms of defacing fur and stealing animals from laboratories."
Abstract This paper discusses how in terms of ideologies, actions, and goals that exist, or should exist in order for the anti-globalizationmovement to develop into a successful globalsocialmovement, there is general agreement that there must be a greater emphasis on social and political issues such as gender equality, and economic issues such as product music and entertainment product copyright protection. The paper further discusses that these are only two of a multitude of important issues that need to be addressed, but they reflect the anti-globalizationmovement's fundamental goal of protecting the social, political, and economic rights of individuals, groups, and societies as globalization expands. For example, globalization has presented many challenges and opportunities for the transnational women's movement.
Abstract This paper begins with an analysis of an on-line article that refers to the American "attack" on terrorism. The article assumes an anti-war stance and this essay examines the socialmovements of anti-war sentiments in relation to this particular article, as well as in relation to other anti-war movements in America. It is a sociological analysis of social collectives, and describes both American and Canadian anti-war movements, with direct reference to U.S. military and politics.
Abstract This paper provides an introduction to and history of the concept of the peace movement. The paper discusses the effects of globalization and terrorism on peace and looks at early US peace movements and early international organizations for preserving peace. The paper then turns to the birth of the UN and the new technologies that changed the meaning of war and the forms of fighting against war. The paper also examines the views on the "war against terror" in the literature and finally, focuses on international relations after the invasion of Iraq.
Outline:
Introduction and History of the Concept of Peace Movement Globalization and Terrorism Effects on the Movements of Peace
Introduction in the US Peace Movements and International Organizations for Preserving Peace in the early 1900s
The Birth of the UN and New Technologies...
International Relations after the Invasion of Iraq
From the Paper "Philosophers and religious leaders of all times tried to propagate their beliefs involving the central role peace plays for humanity. They were joined in their efforts by political and business leaders in modern times. The history of mankind is though populated by wars making the ideal of global peace something that is still left for the future. Ancient Greece and the Roman Empire are among the first to acknowledge the importance of peace, in a primitive form or another. Some Greek city states from antiquity recognized the priority of not going to war against each other over the gains from taking the power over another neighbor state; the pax Romana that lasted over two centuries gave the Roman Empire the best means of taking advantage of the opportunities to conquer new vast territories and to gain hegemony. These were the incipient phases of acknowledging the role peace plaid in the internal interests of a state."
Tags:globalization, terrorism, war, United, Nations, Iraq, 9/11
Abstract This paper examines how socialmovements throughout history represented a new kind of politics. The paper contends that socialmovements have always helped bring about political change or a new type of politics, naming social philosophers kindred to politicians. The paper explains that one cannot study or offer a new type of social philosophy or movement without effecting political change. By examining the history of several socialmovements, the paper discovers political changes caused by the effects of these movements. The paper focuses on Jean Jacques Rousseau and John Stuart Mills who both initiated socialmovements that brought about a new type of politics.
From the Paper "Jean-Jacques Rousseau makes it explicitly clear in his writings found "The Social Contract and Discourses" that he believes strongly in personal freedom and autonomy. Rousseau believed that a truly free government is one where everyone votes, every citizen. Rousseau argues that by everyone surrendering his or her rights to the sovereign equally they maintain freedom. He believes man has the most freedom in the state of nature, but because man has the ability to rationalize and the desire to be social, he must enter a social contract with others in order to have a free and equal society. Rousseau adamantly defends his belief in autonomy in his Discourses on the State of Nature, the Social Contract, and Sovereignty."
Abstract The paper explores what socialmovements are and describes some of America's most important movements. The paper summarizes and explains the roles and impacts of these socialmovements and the significance of protest as a key aspect. The paper discusses how socialmovements and protests impact American democracy to the extent that they succeed in their aims of changing existing laws and public policies. Finally, the paper relates that socialmovements have the best chance of succeeding because they practice participatory democracy in which everyone has a voice.
From the Paper "Still, some social movements succeed in their goals for social change (e.g., those like the Women's Suffrage Movement and the Civil Rights Movement, both of which made their marks on history and changed public policy). Other social movements fizzle out and eventually disappear, having created no change. Roles and impacts of social movements and the significance of protest (e.g., marches, demonstrations, rallies, letter-writing campaigns, and other forms of public protest) as a key aspect of social movements, on American democracy, therefore depend upon the individual social movements themselves; their leadership and organization; and their success (or the lack thereof)."
Abstract This paper shows how the powers of socialmovements are derived primarily from injustice in society. The paper looks at the civil rights, feminist and anti-war movements in the nineteen-sixties that demonstrated how once a socialmovement gains momentum it can produce wider public dissatisfaction with the status quo and compel elected officials to take action against injustice. The paper points out, however, that the power to affect social change in society tends to be fluid, for once a socialmovement achieves a certain degree of social change, it meets increasing resistance, which reduces its power.
From the Paper "The Civil Rights Movement of the nineteen-sixties began because of Rosa Parks and the Montgomery, Alabama bus boycott in 1955, which inspired African-Americans to increase their efforts to win equality. Parks (1999) notes that a few years later, when Attorney General Robert Kennedy sent the FBI into the South in 1962 to enforce laws, prevent violence, and protect civil rights activists, it sent a strong message that the time for racial justice had arrived and that racial segregation must be ended."
Abstract The paper relates the problems resulting from indigenous people being pushed out of the places that they traditionally inhabited. As a result of this movement their languages are disappearing. The paper reports that we are losing a language almost every other week because people speaking these languages are dying out and they are not being taught to others before they die. The paper relates the reasons for this phenomenon and highlights specific regions throughout the world where this is occurring. The goal of the research is to record for eternity basic words of these languages to preserve them. These words can teach us much about them, and ultimately about ourselves as well.
From the Paper "A story reported in the New York Times last month stated that indigenous people all over the world are finding that they are being pushed out of the places that they inhabited to some degree, but mostly their languages are disappearing (Wilford, 2007). The story addressed the fact that there are approximately 7000 languages still spoken throughout the world. Out of all of those, around half will be gone during this century (Wilford, 2007). We are losing a language about every other week. It seems almost impossible to simply 'lose' a language? Where does it go? More importantly, why does it go? The answer is deceptively simple - the people that speak these languages are dying, and they are not teaching others the language before they go to their graves. "
Abstract The paper presents a survey of research literature on media coverage of socialmovements in the United States. It includes the antiwar movement of the 2003 Iraqi War and how that peace movement was covered by the news media. The paper looks at the basis of media "selection" and the issue of bias in media coverage. The paper explores the coverage of other events including the International Monetary Fund 2000 meeting, free trade talks and the European Union summit meeting.
From the Paper "To understand media coverage of the protest or antiwar movement that coalesced in early against the Iraqi War requires an understanding of the growing interconnectedness between the mass ..."
Tags: media, iraq war 2003, peace movement, socialmovements, antiwar movement
This paper discusses the idea of indirect approach in non-violent socialmovements as presented by Liddell Hart in "Strategy" and Gene Sharp in "Politics of Non-Violent Action".
Abstract This paper explains that the philosophies of non-violent socialmovements of Liddell Hart's "Strategy" and of Gene Sharp's "Politics of Non-Violent Action" are vastly different in context: Hart's expertise is planning, fighting and winning a battle; whereas, Gene Sharp's reality is in search of maintaining a non-violent movement for peace and social change. The author points out that, in many ways, non-violence requires the same techniques of strategy as war; the results are just different. The paper states that the strength of non-violence lies in its ability to reduce the moral legitimacy of those who persist in using violence.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Indirect Approach
Nonviolent Movement Conclusion
From the Paper "The indirect approach was born out of Liddell Hart's years of military study and review of historical accounts of war. The very essence of indirect approach is to discover the enemy's Achilles heal or weakness and strike it quickly to take best advantage of the situation. This will lead to a swift and decisive victory. It is determining the Achilles heal that creates an element of surprise. The enemy will be shocked such knowledge of their weakness is apparently known. By surprising the enemy, the opponent takes advantage of the human factor. Liddell Hart writes in "Strategy", "Throughout the ages effective results in war have rarely been attained unless the approach of has had such indirectness as to ensure the opponent's unreadiness to meet it." Basically what this is saying is an indirect approach wears down the enemy's ability to fight back effectively. The surprise element is so profound the enemy loses its will to meet their opponent head on. Their resistance dissolves while their defense crumbles from exhaustion."
