Pick A Social Movement To Discuss

Pick A Social Movement To Discuss You May Refer To One Of The S

Choose a social movement to analyze in detail. Briefly describe the movement in your own words, identify if it is revolutionary or reformist, instrumental or expressive, and explain your reasoning. Apply either a microsocial or macrostructural explanation of social movements to your chosen movement to analyze its origins. Optionally, utilize Smelser's typology of authorities' responses to social movements to discuss potential outcomes of this movement.

Paper For Above instruction

The selected social movement for this analysis is the Civil Rights Movement in the United States, a pivotal social movement that sought to end racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans. Originating in the 1950s and culminating in significant legislative changes in the 1960s, the movement employed both reformist strategies, advocating for legal changes, and revolutionary elements that challenged the systemic racial hierarchy (McAdam, 1982). Its instrumental aspect was evident, aiming to achieve concrete policy reforms such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which transformed societal structures and promoted racial equality (Crespino, 2014). Alternatively, it also had expressive qualities, providing a platform for Black identity and cultural affirmation, emphasizing the importance of self-respect and dignity among African Americans (Morris, 1984).

Applying macrostructural theories, such as resource mobilization theory, helps explain the origins of the Civil Rights Movement. This theory emphasizes the importance of organizational resources, political opportunities, and collective identity in sparking social movements (McCarthy & Zald, 1977). The growth of civil rights organizations like the NAACP and SCLC provided the necessary resources—mobilized membership, leadership, and strategic planning—to challenge entrenched segregation policies. Furthermore, the political climate, marked by global decolonization and the Cold War context, created a window of opportunity that facilitated national attention and governmental response (McAdam, 1982). The movement's success was partly due to the availability of resources and favorable political conditions, aligning with the resource mobilization framework.

Regarding the optional application of Smelser's typology, the authorities' response to the Civil Rights Movement was mixed. Initially, repression and suppression characterized their response, including arrests and violence against protesters, reflecting a coercive approach. Over time, however, some authorities adopted negotiations and policy reforms, indicating a shift towards accommodation. This variation underlines Smelser's typology, where authorities oscillate between repression and accommodation depending on their perceived threat levels and societal pressures (Smelser, 1962). The outcome—significant legislative victories—can thus be viewed as a consequence of these fluctuating responses, influenced by both activist pressure and changing political contexts.

References

• Crespino, J. (2014). The Crisis of the 1960s: Civil Rights and Beyond. Harvard University Press.
• McAdam, D. (1982). Political Process and the Development of Black Insurgency, 1930-1970. University of Chicago Press.
• McCarthy, J. D., & Zald, M. N. (1977). Resource Mobilization and Social Movements: A Partial Theory. American Journal of Sociology, 82(6), 1212–1241.
• Morris, A. (1984). The Origins of the Civil Rights Movement. Free Press.
• Smelser, N. J. (1962). Theory of Collective Behavior. Free Press.