Collective Action for Societal Change
Organized endeavors undertaken by a significant number of individuals to promote or resist changes in society's structure and values. These actions represent a sustained effort, often involving multiple events or campaigns, aimed at altering existing power dynamics or cultural norms.
Key Characteristics
- Collective Identity: A shared sense of purpose and belonging among participants. This identity facilitates mobilization and fosters solidarity.
- Shared Grievances: Perception of injustice or dissatisfaction with the status quo. This provides the impetus for action.
- Organizational Structure: Varying degrees of formal or informal organization, enabling coordination and strategic planning. This may range from loose networks to highly structured hierarchies.
- Sustained Action: Activities persist over time, demonstrating commitment and resilience in the face of opposition.
- Demand for Change: Explicit or implicit articulation of desired alterations to societal norms, laws, or institutions.
Types and Classifications
- Reform Movements: Seek incremental changes within the existing political and economic system, rather than fundamental transformations.
- Revolutionary Movements: Aim for radical societal restructuring, often involving the overthrow of existing power structures.
- Resistance Movements: Defend against perceived threats to established values or institutions, often aiming to preserve the status quo.
- Expressive Movements: Focus on individual self-improvement and collective expression of identity or beliefs.
- Alternative Movements: Seek limited changes in specific aspects of individuals' lives, often focused on lifestyle or personal behavior.
Theoretical Perspectives
- Resource Mobilization Theory: Emphasizes the importance of resources (money, time, skills, organizational capacity) in achieving success.
- Political Opportunity Theory: Focuses on the role of political context and opportunities (e.g., weakening of state power, divisions within the elite) in facilitating emergence and success.
- Framing Theory: Examines how ideas and beliefs are constructed and communicated to mobilize support and legitimize claims. Frames must resonate with potential participants.
- Relative Deprivation Theory: Suggests that arise from feelings of inequality and unfairness when individuals perceive a gap between their expectations and their actual conditions.
Stages of Development
- Emergence: Initial recognition of a problem or grievance.
- Coalescence: Mobilization of resources and formation of a collective identity.
- Bureaucratization: Formalization of organizational structures and development of strategies.
- Decline: Diminished activity due to success, failure, co-optation, repression, or internal divisions.