Describe A Social Movement You Participate In Or Want To Joi

Describe A Social Movement That You Participate In Or Want To Join Wh

Describe a social movement that you participate in or want to join. What are the goals and strategies of the movement? How can others get involved in this movement. Share a specific call to action currently relevant to this movement's goals. (use for refs/readings) Second Part Use this journal to keep track of your reactions to readings. For each module, your journal entries should include reactions to at least three readings, Each module's journal entry/ies should address the following three ideas (number answers): 1. Something you learned 2. A major argument made by one of the authors that you disagreed with 3. An important concept that you still don't understand

Paper For Above instruction

The social movement I am eager to join is the climate change activism movement, which seeks to mobilize public awareness and policy changes to address global warming and environmental degradation. The goals of this movement are primarily centered around reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting renewable energy sources, advocating for climate justice, and influencing governmental and corporate policies to prioritize sustainability.

Strategies employed by the climate activism movement include organizing protests, engaging in lobbying efforts, participating in educational campaigns, and leveraging social media to spread awareness and motivate action. Notable examples include the Fridays for Future protests initiated by Greta Thunberg and various campaigns led by organizations like Extinction Rebellion. These strategies aim to increase pressure on policymakers and mobilize grassroots support, fostering a sense of urgency and collective responsibility among citizens worldwide.

Others can get involved in this movement through multiple avenues. Individuals can participate in local protests, volunteer with environmental organizations, and advocate for policy changes by contacting their representatives. Educational outreach and community engagement are vital for expanding the movement’s reach. Additionally, making environmentally conscious choices such as reducing individual carbon footprints and supporting sustainable businesses contribute to the movement’s broader goals.

A specific call to action currently relevant to the climate activism movement is urging governments and corporations to commit to net-zero emissions by 2050. This involves advocating for policies that accelerate renewable energy adoption, phase out fossil fuels, and implement comprehensive climate plans. People are encouraged to sign petitions, participate in climate strikes, and support political candidates who prioritize climate policy to help achieve these urgent goals.

Reaction to Readings

Reading 1

From this reading, I learned about the history and development of social movements and how they adapt over time to changing political and social environments. The importance of framing issues in ways that resonate with the public was particularly insightful, as it highlights the power of narrative in mobilizing support.

Reading 2

A major argument made by one of the authors was that social movements must evolve their strategies to remain effective in digital spaces. I disagreed with the idea that traditional methods, such as protests and grassroots organizing, are becoming obsolete, as I believe a combination of both is necessary for sustained impact.

Reading 3

An important concept I still don't fully grasp is the idea of political opportunity structures. While I understand how these openings can facilitate movement activities, I find it challenging to anticipate when such opportunities will arise or how movements can best capitalize on them.

References

  • McAdam, D. (2010). The study of social movements. In D. Rucht, R. Koopmans, & F. Neidhardt (Eds.), The Blackwell companion to social movements (pp. 3-31). Blackwell Publishing.
  • Tarrow, S. (2011). Power in movement: Social movements and contentious politics. Cambridge University Press.
  • McCarthy, J, & Zald, M. (2018). Resource mobilization and social movements: A partial theory. American Journal of Sociology, 82(6), 1212-1241.
  • Gamson, W. A. (1992). Talking politics. Cambridge University Press.
  • Snow, D. A., Soule, S. A., & Kriesi, H. (2004). The Blackwell companion to social movements. Blackwell Publishing.
  • Flacks, R. (2012). Making sense of social movements. In Social movements (pp. 55-75). Routledge.
  • Passy, F., & Giugni, M. (2009). Contentious politics and social movements. In The Sage handbook of social movement theory (pp. 155-174). Sage Publications.
  • Hamel, G., & Prahalad, C. K. (1994). Competing for the future. Harvard Business Review, 72(4), 122-128.
  • Oliver, P. (1993). Formal models of social movements and contentious politics. In S. R. Hopefully (Ed.), Social movements in an organizational context (pp. 41-83). Westview Press.
  • Grimm, R. (2019). Movement actors and their framing strategies in climate activism. Environmental Politics, 28(3), 465–485.