Define the concept social movement Discuss the characteristics of social movements Explain why social movements arise Discuss in detail the requirements for an effective social movement Indicate in what ways resistance can be offered against social movements

1. SOCIAL MOVEMENT
Study Unit 10.2
By C.Settley

2. Learning Outcomes
• Define the concept social movement
• Discuss the characteristics of social movements
• Explain why social movements arise
• Discuss in detail the requirements for an effective social
movement
• Indicate in what ways resistance can be offered against
social movements

3. Social movement defined
• It is a large, fairly permanent group of individuals
who attempt to influence the future of society by
means of popular action, rather than leaving
policy decisions to elected legislative bodies
(Steward & Glynn, 1979:245)

4. Characteristics of Social Movement
• Expresses the dissatisfaction of people
• The members of the movement expect that something will be
done about the matter
• Social movements are highly organized
• Group of people who feel very strongly about a matter
• ‘Propaganda’- when public attention is being drawn to matters
• Influences public opinion
• Have the potential to bring about social change
• May transform the society
• Potential strengths should not be over or underestimated
• Eg ANC movement before democracy in April 1994 which
initiated transformation in society

5. Why do Social Movements arise?/ the
origin of Social Movements
• 2 Reasons: Relative Deprivation & Resource Mobilisation
• Relative Deprivation
• The feelings of negative discrepancies between one’s
own expectations and reality
• Eg people who live in squatter camps may feel that they
are deprived from something
• People must feel that they have a right to their objectives
• That they deserve better than what they have
• A common perception needs to exist in the group

6. Why do Social Movements arise?/ the
origin of Social Movements
• 2 Reasons: Relative Deprivation & Resource Mobilization
• Resource Mobilisation
• Includes the acquisition and utilization of funds, political
influences, media coverage and personnel
• These resources must be handled effectively
• As the group grows, norms develop
• Behavior of members are evaluated
• Members must attend to regular meetings, membership
fees, recruitment of new members

7. Types of social movements
• Resistance movements
• Aimed at resisting changes that have already occurred in
society. Eg against organ transplants
• Reform movements
• Movements started to prohibit the showing of permissive
scenes and violence on TV. Eg. Movements against the e-toll
system of our government.
• Revolutionary movements
• These movements want to replace existing orders with totally
different structure. Eg boikots held during apartheid.
• Expressive movements
• These movements concentrate on change among their
members in order to improve their quality of life. Eg Hippies

8. Requirements for an effective social
movement
• There must be a specific cause about which the group
feels dissatisfied and want to express a dislike
• Many people experience a degree of tension about
existing conditions and have a need to propagate
• There must be a high degree of interaction and
communication concerning events
• Personal values play an important role in these
establishments
• Social movements are more successful if the members
have equal status
• There must have been previous successful movements
which can act as indicators that this movement may
succeed (Doob & Wallace, 1985: 233-234)

9. 4 Ways in which Social Movements can
be resisted
RIDICULE
• Making a social
movement look ridiculous
in the eyes of the world
• Eg Womens liberation
COOPTATION
• ‘if you can’t beat them,
join them’
• May be pretentious

10. 4 Ways in which Social Movements can
be resisted
FORMAL SOCIAL CONTROL
• When movements are
declared as undesirable
and it becomes banned
FORCE
• If all resorts fail, the
police/army are called to
stop the movement
(Schaefer & Lamm,
1995:587)

11. References
• Du Toit, D.A. & Van Staden S.J. (2014). Nursing
Sociology. 4th Edition. Pretoria: Van Schaik.