Social movements - faculty.piercecollege.edu

Chapter Seventeen
Social Problems and Social
Action
Social Problems and Their Solutions
• The first sociological thinkers, Emile Durkheim, Karl
Marx and Max Weber, were preoccupied with social
change and the problems it creates for society.
• Sociology provides us with the means to examine
the social structure or “machinery” that runs our
lives.
• Freedom comes first in identifying that social
“machinery” and second in recognizing that we
have the power to transform or alter that
machinery.
Understanding Social Movements
• Social movements - a conscious,
collective, organized attempt to bring
about or resist large-scale change in the
social order.
• Classified by 2 factors.
– What is the scope of the intended change - is
it a group of people or entire society?
– How much change is intended by the social
movement – is it limited or radical change?
• Reform movements - try to bring about
limited social change by working within
the existing system, usually targeting
social structures such as education or
medicine and directly targeting policy
makers.
• Revolutionary social movements seek
fundamental changes of the system itself.
• Instrumental movements seek to change the structure of society, such as the civil rights and the environmental movement. • Expressive movements a7empt to change individuals and individual behavior. Types of Social Movements
• New social movements theory
emphasizes the distinctive features of
recent social movements like the feminist
movements of the 60s, radical sections of
environmental movement in the 70s, the
peace movement of the late 70s to
mid-80s and in radical sections of the gay
rights movement since the 80s.
– NSMs have different ideologies than earlier
movements.
– Are distrustful of formal organizations.
– Are associated with a new middle class of
“younger, social and cultural specialists.”
How Do Social Movements Begin?
• Social movements do not generally arise
from a stable social context, rather they
arise out of a changing social order.
• Arise from the structure itself, primarily
the result of social and economic
deprivation.
• Relative deprivation - a perceived gap
between what people expect and what
they actually get.
• 6 structural conditions necessary for the
development of collective behaviors and
social movements.
– Particular structures are more likely to
generate certain kinds of social movements
than others.
– People will become dissatisfied with the
current structure only if the structure is
perceived as oppressive or illegitimate.
– Must be a growth of a generalized belief
system.
– Dramatic events sharpen and concretize
issues.
– Movement gains momentum with the
mobilization of leaders and members.
– Forces in society respond to the social
movement either by accepting or
suppressing it.
• Resource mobilization theory - no social
movement can succeed without resources.
– A social movement requires skills like
leadership, talent, and knowledge, as well as
an organizational infrastructure to support its
work.
• Political process model - emphasizes the
relationship between a mobilized social
movement and a favorable structure of
political opportunities.
• Resource mobilization must include
cognitive liberation, which begins when
members of an aggrieved group begin to
consider their situation as unjust, believe
it can be changed, and that they can
make a difference
What Does It Mean to Me?
• What will be our next great social
movement?
• After the civil rights, women’s rights, and
gay rights movements, what social
movement will affect you next?
• What will contribute to the development
of this movement?
• What will contribute to its success?
How Have Reform Movements Made a
Difference?
• Early in human history, most social change
was the result of chance or trial and error,
but in modern history, social movements
have been the basic avenues by which
social change takes place.
• Majority of social movements are reform
movements which focus on either broad
or narrow social reforms. They produce
significant change, but in gradual or
piecemeal ways
• Most important reform movements early
20th century focused on grievances related
to social class, such as the labor
movements of the early 1900s.
• Post WW II saw new type of movement,
including the civil rights movement,
student movement, feminist movement,
gay liberation movement, and ethnic/
racial movements, which addressed
inequalities based on social status rather
than social class
• Successful reform movements generate
change in three areas.
– Culture - educate people, change beliefs and
behaviors.
– New Organizations or Institutions to:
• Influence initiatives by altering the
structure of political support.
• Limit resources to challengers.
• Change the values and symbols used by
supporters and challengers.
And, Lastly--– Social Policy and Legislation:
• Successful social policies have been
nurtured by partnerships between the
government and social movements
Another Source of Change: Nongovernmental Organizations
• NGO’s are private not-for-profit voluntary,
civil society, and nonprofit organizations.
• Advocate on a range of issues:
– Poverty, human rights, the environment and
social justice.
• Known for their innovative campaigns and
mobilization strategies.
NGOs (continued)
• Have the ability to work outside of
traditional government structures and
political networks.
• Have been called a “positive force in
domestic and international affairs,
working to alleviate poverty, protect
human rights, preserve the environment,
and provide relief worldwide.”
Making the Last Connection
• Social problems are complex and require
attention to large social forces, such as
those advocated by social movements.
• Social movements begin with individual
efforts.
• Grassroots organizations with strong
community and local leadership have also
proven effective in addressing social
problems.
• Student action can lead to significant
social change.
The Connection Between Social
Problems and Your Community
• 67% of undergraduates are involved in
volunteer activities – food and clothing
drives, after school mentoring, Habitat for
Humanity, and election campaigns (UCLA’s
Annual Survey, 2006)
• School districts in almost every state
require community service.
The steps in affec6ng change.
• Recognize that you can make a difference. – You don’t have to change the world to solve social problems, you can start small and local. • Explore opportuniBes for service on your campus and your community. • Do what you enjoy doing. – When you know what you like, when you know what you can contribute, you will find the right connecBon. • Go out and do it. – You don’t need a lifelong commitment, but change doesn’t happen automaBcally, it begins with individual acBon. What Does It Mean to Me?
• What social problem do you see and what
can you do about it?