The Concept of Social Movement

TLDR

Recent work in social movement studies shows growing consensus and efforts to synthesize diverse perspectives, yet comparative discussion of the concept remains largely neglected; social movements are defined as networks of informal interactions among diverse actors engaged in political or cultural conflicts, distinguished from related entities such as interest groups, parties, protests, and coalitions. The article aims to systematically review and contrast definitions of “social movement” by influential authors. It does so by comparing and contrasting these definitions across the literature. The review finds substantial convergence among disparate approaches on at least three key points.

Abstract

Recent developments in social movement research have evidenced a greater underlying consensus in the field than one might have assumed. Efforts have been made to bridge different perspectives and merge them into a new synthesis. Yet, comparative discussion of the concept of ‘social movement’ has been largely neglected so far. This article reviews and contrasts systematically the definitions of ‘social movement’ formulated by some of the most influential authors in the field. A substantial convergence may be detected between otherwise very different approaches on three points at least. Social movements are defined as networks of informal interactions between a plurality of individuals, groups and/or organizations, engaged in political or cultural conflicts, on the basis of shared collective identities. It is argued that the concept is sharp enough a) to differentiate social movements from related concepts such as interest groups, political parties, protest events and coalitions; b) to identify a specific area of investigation and theorising for social movement research.