Social Movements, Collective Action, and Political Sociology
Why People Mobilize
Collective Action and Contention
Social movement research asks when grievances become organized action, how groups coordinate under uncertainty, and why some mobilizations succeed while others fail. Key explanations include political opportunity structures, resource mobilization, framing processes, emotional dynamics, organization-building, and state repression. Contemporary work also examines digital mobilization, transnational contention, and intersectional movement coalitions.
Movement Vocabulary
Open Problem
One frontier question is how online coordination changes the balance between rapid diffusion and organizational fragility.
What does framing do in social movements?
Framing gives meaning to grievances and helps recruit participants and allies.
Correct answer: It makes claims understandable and morally resonant
Why are organizations important for social movements?
Movements usually require organizational infrastructure to endure and scale.
Correct answer: They coordinate resources, sustain participation, and translate grievances into strategy.
Political Opportunity and Repression
Two Classic Explanations of Mobilization
Resource mobilization
- Focuses on organizational resources and strategy
- Explains how actors coordinate action
- Useful for movement infrastructure
Political process
- Focuses on openings, constraints, and state response
- Explains timing and success conditions
- Useful for contention under repression
Which factor is most likely to expand the opportunity for collective action?
Political openings can lower barriers to mobilization and increase prospects for success.
Correct answer: A sudden political opening or elite split
Analyzing a Movement Campaign
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Step 1: Identify grievances and claims.
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Step 2: Map organizations, networks, and leadership.
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Step 3: Analyze framing and public resonance.
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Step 4: Assess opportunity structures and repression.
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Step 5: Evaluate outcomes, concessions, backlash, and diffusion.
What is repertoires of contention?
Repertoires are historically shaped patterns of action, such as strikes, marches, or boycotts.
Correct answer: The set of familiar and available forms of collective protest or action.
Which statement best fits a sociological understanding of movement outcomes?
Movement success is multi-causal and context dependent.
Correct answer: Outcomes depend on resources, framing, opportunity, and repression