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What good did it do?

What good did it do?. How Social Movements Matter. How should we study social movement impact?. 1- What two big debates about movement impacts have social movement theorists typically argued about? 2- What three problems have hindered our analysis of movement outcomes?.

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What good did it do?

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  1. What good did it do? How Social Movements Matter

  2. How should we study social movement impact?

  3. 1- What two big debates about movement impacts have social movement theorists typically argued about?2- What three problems have hindered our analysis of movement outcomes? Marco’s Big Questions …

  4. Possible approaches… • Did the movement (or a phase of movement contention): • Alter power relations between challengers and authorities? • Force policy change? • Bring about broader structural changes? • Bring about cultural changes? • Bring “collective goods” (or “collective bads”) to the community on whose behalf movement activists claimed to operate? (Giugni, Amenta and Young)

  5. Stages of movement impact • Movement organization and growth • Gaining visibility • Gaining support • Maintaining support • Leverage • Recognition • Change How can each of these be achieved?

  6. Things to keep in mind… • Look for alternative explanations and the impact of other actors and events • Think about comparisons • It’s rare to find proof

  7. Why do some movements achieve more of their goals than others?

  8. Factors that can help movements get what they want… • Influential allies • A short causal chain • A vulnerable target • Cultural homogeneity • Credible and strong leadership • Internal discipline and coordination • Patience & persistence • Good planning • W x U x N x C= Strength (Tilly)

  9. The boomerang effect Target) XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Allies Local Activists (Keck and Sikkink)

  10. Factors that impede movement “success” • No influential allies • Protected/Invulnerable target • Internal divisions • Economic and cultural divisions

  11. Does institutionalization help or hinder movements?

  12. What is movement institutionalization? “The creation of a repeatable process that is self-sustaining” (D. Meyer and S. Tarrow) • Routinization of collective action • Inclusion in formal institutions, political decisionmaking • Change in the nature of relations between activists & authorities • Moderation in tactics and tone

  13. How can institutionalization benefit movements? • More access to power • Reduced levels of risk • More reliable sources of material resources • Moderation may broaden the base of participants

  14. How can institutionalization hurt movements? • Can splinter a movement between “moderates” and “radicals” • Can divert energy and resources into organizational maintenance • Can co-opt movements • Can alienate movement leadership from grassroots base

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