Sociology: Your Compass for a New World Robert J. Brym and John Lie Wadsworth Group/Thomson Learning © 2003

Collective Action and Social Movements Chapter 17

The Rationality of Collective Action and Social Movements WIn the Short Term, Deprivation and Strain Due to Rapid Social Change Are Generally Not Associated With Increased Collective Action and Social Movement Formation WMobs, Riots, and Other Forms of Crowd Behavior May Be Wild and Violent  However, Social Organization and Rationality Underlie Much Crowd Behavior

Frequency of Lynching, U.S.A., Year Frequency Black victims White victims Top Lynching States, , Black Victims Only State % of total Mississippi 12 Georgia 11 Texas 10 Louisiana 8 Alabama 7 Arkansas 6 Florida 6 Tennessee 5 other 35 total 100 Source: Williams (1970: 8-11).

Resource Mobilization People Are More Inclined to Rebel Against the Status Quo When WSocial Ties Bind Them to Many Other People Who Feel Similarly Wronged WWhen They Have the Resources Needed to Protest Including W Time W Money W Organization

Political Opportunity WCollective Action and Social Movement Formation Are More Likely to Occur When Political Opportunities Allow Them WPolitical Opportunities Emerge Due to W Elections W Increased Support by Influential Allies W The Instability of Ruling Political Alignments W Divisions Among Elite Groups

Social Control W Authorities’ Attempts to Control Unrest Influence the Timing of Collective Action WAuthorities May WOffer Concessions to Insurgents WCo-opt Leaders WEmploy Coercion

Unionization as Percent of Non- Farm Workers, U.S.A., Year Percent unionized Source: U.S. Department of Labor (2000d; 2000e; 2001).

Frequency of Strikes with Workers, U.S.A., Frequency Year average = average = 45 Source: U.S. Department of Labor (2000f).

Unemployment and the Frequency of Big Strikes, U.S.A., Source: U.S. Department of Labor (2000a; 2000f).

Framing For Social Movements to Grow, Members Must Make the Movement’s WActivities WGoals WIdeology Congruent With Potential Recruits’ WInterests WBeliefs  Values

Determinants of Collective Action and Social Movement Formation

The History of Social Movements I WIn 1700, Social Movements Were Typically Small, Localized, and Violent WBy Mid-20th Century, Social Movements Were Typically Large, National, and Less Violent WIn the Late 20th Century, New Social Movements Developed Broader Goals, Recruited More Highly Educated People, and Developed Global Potential for Growth

The History of Social Movements II The History of Social Movements Is a Struggle for the Acquisition of Constantly Broadening Citizenship Rights: WFree Speech, Religion, and Justice Before the Law WVote and Run for Office WA Level of Economic Security and Full Participation in the Life of Society  The Right of Marginal Groups to Full Citizenship and the Right of Humanity to Peace and Security