School of something FACULTY OF OTHER So what is social change? Social movements, campaigning and direct action.

School of something FACULTY OF OTHER 1. Social movements What is a social movement? ‘collective challenges [to elites, authorities, other groups or cultural codes] by people with common purposes and solidarity in sustained interactions with elites, opponents and authorities’ (Tarrow, 1994)

School of something FACULTY OF OTHER 2. The nature of change Rethinking cause and effect Complex and non linear change A ≠ B

School of something FACULTY OF OTHER 2. The nature of change Tipping points, chaos points and junctions: Breakdown or breakthrough?

School of something FACULTY OF OTHER

School of something FACULTY OF OTHER 2. The nature of change Synchronous failure: what happens with multiple chaos and failure?

School of something FACULTY OF OTHER Ideological Representable UtilitarianRational ModernistTeleological Post Ideological Non Representable DeliberativeIndeterminate Post modernist Contingent Reformist Radical/revolutionary Source: Tormey, 2004 Different political positions

School of something FACULTY OF OTHER 2c. The nature of change Power in its different forms: Power - over Power – to Power – with Power – within Power - together

School of something FACULTY OF OTHER 4b. The Movement Action Plan ‘Social movements need to go beyond immediate reforms to build toward fundamental structural changes by…. ??????

School of something FACULTY OF OTHER 4b. The Movement Action Plan (1)creating empowered people who become life-long social change agents, and not just one issue protesters; (2)creating ongoing grassroots political organizations and networks; (3)broadening the analysis, issues, and goals of movements; (4)propose new alternatives and worldviews or paradigms that put forward new political and social systems, not just oppose symptoms.’ Moyer MAP, 1987, page 38

School of something FACULTY OF OTHER 4b. The Movement Action Plan MA in Activism and Social Change SCHOOL OF GEOGRAPHY

The spectrum of political engagement Remember they overlap and change according to the issue: Passive givers (membership, donations) Passive supporters (letter writers, online petitions, boycotting) Active supporters (organised marches, demos, lobbying) Direct actioners (take matters into their own hands - immediacy and intention)

The deep roots of resistance

Contemporary moments of direct action

Not just about radicals or the traditional Left

School of something FACULTY OF OTHER What are the differences? Direct action Civil Disobedience

–Direct action: ‘politically motivated activity undertaken by individuals, groups, or governments to achieve political goals outside of normal social/political channels.’ (Wikipedia) –Acting directly means not deferring your personal ability, power and responsibility to pre-existing structures but doing it yourself. (Trapese) –“Civil Disobedience is a public, nonviolent, conscientious yet political act contrary to law usually done with the aim of bringing about a change in the law or policies of the government.” (John Rawls, A theory of Justice ) Definitions

–What is and is not direct action? Making demands / lobbying? Waiting for (or deferring to) existing channels/institutions? A last ditch attempt when all else has failed? Way of life/philosophy, / a tactic within a larger structure/campaign? The preserve of the radical left? 1. Definitions

Why do people take direct action? Mobilisation (the push factor – the situation is dire, and individuals are frustrated) Incentives (the pull factor – there ’ s an opportunity, and probably collective support and infrastructure) Framing (a plausible story exists about how things could be different – and people will go along with it) All three usually have to be met for real and rapid change to occur

What is too far?

Some questions… Which ripples create waves? (or which actions spark the imagination and wider movements?) How can we weigh up risks with potential benefits?Are the risks worth it? What is role of direct action within longer term campaigning? (often good to grab the headlines and start a campaign, to show you are serious, that you are in it for the long term)