Social Movement

Some citizens do not always

accede to how their society is
structured. They would reckon that
there are better ways to live so
they would then gather together to
form a social movement. A social
movement is a large group of
individuals congregating to either
effect or prevent social changes
 Social movements express the
dissatisfaction of the people in a given
society. Feeling strongly about a
particular cause, the members usually
feel that they are deprived, resenting
their living conditions, and demanding
improvements. Vastly organized, they
intend to transform the society by
influencing public opinion and
government policy-making.
Emergence of Social
Movements
Social movements began in England in the
late 18th century. John Wilkes, a
controversial political figure, vigorously
disputed the government in defense of
the impoverished. The Society for the
Supporters of the Bill of Rights in 1769 is
considered as the first social movement
involving public conferences, the
unprecedented dissemination of
pamphlets, and protests
 The New Social Movements emerged after World
War II. With radical reform and change desired, the
rights which these groups advocate are for women,
the gay, peace, civil, pro-choice, anti-nuclear, anti-
globalization, and the environment. It was termed
New Social Movement because it departed from the
traditional social movements which is focused on
economic issues. The New Social Movement that is
very evident in the 1960s is focused more on values
and social identities mentioned above.
Kinds of Social
Movements
 Conservative movements
resist changes in the society
like the anti-technology group,
Luddites
 Reactionary movements
defend returning to traditional
lifestyles as demonstrated by
the Ku Klux Klan
Reform movements
support change like the
marriage-opposed Free
Love Movement
 Expressive movements
aim to improve their
members' lives, not
necessarily imposing their
ideas on others like the
Hippie Movement
 Escapist movements
advocate retreating from
the society through isolation
like religious cults
Assimilationist movements
help minority groups
become absorbed in the
mainstream society,
demanding equal
treatment
Pluralist movements
defend respect for
diversity like the gay
rights movement
 Alternative movements
influence the people to
change their lifestyles like
the vegans
 Group-focus movements
concentrate on changing
factions, transforming into
or joining a political party
 Persuading the People to
Support Social Movements'
Causes
Advertisements, films, speeches,
and posters are utilized to carry
out educational persuasion.
Political persuasion involve
financing political candidates'
campaigns, running for public
office, or persuading government
officials.
 Direct or violent tactics involve social
movements taking matters into their own
hands through extreme measures like
boycotting a business employing slave
workers, demolishing abortion clinics, and
liberating animals from experimental
laboratories.
Non-violent tactics involve civil disobedience
like Mohandas Gandhi's peaceful protest
against the British imperialists