Describe social movements and note when and where they are most likely to develop

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Although collective behavior is short-lived and relatively unorganized, social

movements are longer lasting, are more organized, and have specific goals or

purposes. A social movement is an organized group that acts consciously to promote

or resist change through collective action. Social movements are more likely to

develop in industrialized societies than in preindustrial societies, where acceptance of

traditional beliefs and practices makes such movements unlikely.

Diversity and a lack of consensus (hallmarks of industrialized nations) contribute to

demands for social change, and people who participate in social movements typically

lack power and other resources to bring about change without engaging in collective

action.

Social movements are most likely to spring up when people come to see their personal

troubles as public issues that cannot be solved without a collective response. Social

movements make democracy more available to excluded groups. For example, the

civil rights movement brought into its ranks African Americans in the South who had

never been allowed to participate in politics. Also, the women's suffrage movement

gave voice to women who had been denied the right to vote. Most social movements

rely on volunteers to carry out the work. Social movements provide people who

otherwise would not have the resources to enter the game of politics a chance to do

so.