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?

Marco’s Big Questions …

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)

Stages of movement impact

• Movement organization and growth

• Gaining visibility

• Gaining support

• Maintaining support

• Leverage

• Recognition

• Change

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

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

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)

The boomerang effect

(Keck and Sikkink)

Local Activists

Target)

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Allies

Factors that impede movement “success”

• No influential allies

• Protected/Invulnerable target

• Internal divisions

• Economic and cultural divisions

Does institutionalization help or hinder movements?

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

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

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