Students Will Take A Current Event, Cite It, Summarize It ✓ Solved

Students Will Take A Current Event Cite It Summarize It And Offer T

Students will take a current event, cite it, summarize it, and offer thoughts on how the course material might approach and or explain the event in question. Students should offer questions for further discussion at the end of the brief paper. The summary should be 3-5 pages of text with reference page citing all materials. Current event summaries are meant to enhance class discussion versus being exhaustive research papers. Required text Goodwin and Jasper. The Social Movement Reader- Cases and Concepts. 2nd ed Nash, Kate. Contemporary Political Sociology. 2nd Neilemann & Halperin. Game Change: Obama and the Clintons, McCain and Palin and the Race of a Lifetime Stanley. How Fascism Works FYI It can be any current event going on right now Please do not forget the questions at the end of the paper

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The ongoing protests and demonstrations surrounding climate change policies have become a significant current event that exemplifies social movement dynamics and political activism. Recent protests across major cities worldwide, including youth-led climate strikes and civil disobedience campaigns, highlight the increasing role of social movements in shaping public discourse and policy. These events serve as a contemporary illustration of the theories and concepts discussed in course materials such as Goodwin and Jasper’s “The Social Movement Reader,” as well as insights from Nash’s “Contemporary Political Sociology.” This paper aims to analyze the current climate activism movement through the lens of social movement theories, explore governmental responses, and propose questions for further discussion.

Description of the Current Event

In 2023, global climate protests reached new heights, with groups like Fridays for Future and Extinction Rebellion organizing mass demonstrations in over 150 countries. These protests demand urgent policy action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, transition to renewable energy, and address climate justice issues affecting vulnerable populations. The movement has gained momentum partly due to increasing awareness of climate science, the visibility of climate catastrophes, and youth activism inspired by leaders such as Greta Thunberg. The protests have often involved civil disobedience, marches, and strikes, disrupting routine activities in city centers to attract public and governmental attention. Governments and corporations response varies from sympathetic engagement to crackdown tactics, highlighting the contentious political landscape surrounding climate policies.

Analysis Using Course Material

Applying social movement theories, the climate protest movement can be categorized as a new social movement centered around identity, values, and environmental justice, distinct from traditional economic-based movements (Goodwin & Jasper). The movement exemplifies the principles of frame alignment and collective identity formation, uniting youth, scientists, and concerned citizens across borders. The decentralized organization and digital activism align with the resource mobilization theory, emphasizing the importance of digital platforms and social media for mobilization (Nash). Moreover, government responses—ranging from repression to dialogue—reflect the political opportunity structures discussed in Nash’s work, where perceived legitimacy and threat influence state behavior. The movement’s framing as an urgent moral issue aligns with the societal shifts described by Stanley in “How Fascism Works,” as populist and authoritarian regimes may perceive these protests as destabilizing influences.

Relation to Course Concepts

The protests demonstrate the role of social movements in shaping policy and public opinion, consistent with theories presented in Neilemann and Halperin’s “Game Change,” where political actors must respond to emerging social pressures to maintain legitimacy. The movement’s transnational nature exemplifies the global interconnectedness of modern social movements and the increasing importance of digital networks in fostering solidarity. The environmental movement’s tactics echo historical cases of civil disobedience and mass mobilization discussed by Goodwin and Jasper, who emphasize strategies of disruption and moral framing to garner support and pressure policymakers.

Questions for Further Discussion

• How do digital platforms reshape social movement strategies and effectiveness in contemporary activism?
• What are the limitations and opportunities of government repression versus accommodation in managing social protests?
• In what ways might the climate movement evolve to sustain long-term political influence?
• Can the principles of social justice embedded in these protests influence broader political and economic reforms?
• How do populist and authoritarian regimes respond to environmental activism, and what parallels can be drawn with historical fascist movements?

Conclusion

Current environmental protests serve as a compelling case study for understanding social movement theory and political sociology. They highlight the importance of collective identity, framing, digital mobilization, and political opportunity structures in shaping modern activism. As these movements continue to grow and challenge traditional power structures, it remains crucial for scholars and policymakers to analyze their dynamics critically. Addressing the questions raised can deepen our understanding of the potential for social movements to effect meaningful change and navigate complex political landscapes.

References

• Goodwin, J., & Jasper, J. M. (2014). The Social Movement Reader: Cases and Concepts (2nd ed.). Wiley-Blackwell.
• Nash, K. (2019). Contemporary Political Sociology (2nd ed.). Wiley-Blackwell.
• Neilemann, A., & Halperin, D. (2016). Game Change: Obama and the Clintons, McCain and Palin and the Race of a Lifetime. Simon & Schuster.
• Stanley, H. (2018). How Fascism Works: The Politics of Us and Them. Random House.
• McAdam, D., McCarthy, J. D., & Zald, M. N. (1996). Comparative Perspectives on Social Movements: Political Opportunities, Mobilizing Structures, and Cultural Framings. Cambridge University Press.
• Tarrow, S. (2011). Power in Movement: Social Movements and Contentious Politics (3rd ed.). Cambridge University Press.
• Benford, R. D., & Snow, D. A. (2000). Framing Processes and Social Movements: An Overview and Assessment. Annual Review of Sociology, 26, 611-639.
• McCarthy, J. D., & Zald, M. N. (1977). Resource Mobilization and Social Movements: A Partial Theory. American Journal of Sociology, 82(6), 1212-1241.
• Snow, D. A., & Benford, R. D. (1992). Master Frames and Cycles of Protest. In A. D. Morris & C. M. Mueller (Eds.), Frontiers in Social Movement Theory (pp. 197-217). Yale University Press.
• Wilkinson, R. (2011). The Spirit Level: Why Equality Is Better for Everyone. Allen Lane.