Why Do Social Movements Occur?
• Theories of social movements and revolutions overlap. Marx argued that class struggles deriving from the contradictions, or irresolvable tensions within society, lead to revolutionary changes. James Davies argues that social movements occur from relative deprivation, a discrepancy between the lives people actually lead and what people believe to be possible. Charles Tilly analyzes revolutionary change from a broader context of collective action, which refers to action taken to contest or overthrow an existing social order. Collective action culminating in social movements progresses from organization to mobilization, the perception of common interest, and finally the opportunity to act. For Tilly, social movements occur in circumstances of multiple sovereignty, a situation in which the government lacks full control. • Neil Smelser’s theory treats social movements as responses to situations which undergo a series of stages. Alain Touraine argues that social movements rest on historici
• Theories of social movements and revolutions overlap. Marx argued that class struggles deriving from the contradictions, or irresolvable tensions within society, lead to revolutionary changes. James Davies argues that social movements occur from relative deprivation, a discrepancy between the lives people actually lead and what people believe to be possible. Charles Tilly analyzes revolutionary change from a broader context of collective action, which refers to action taken to contest or overthrow an existing social order. Collective action culminating in social movements progresses from organization to mobilization, the perception of common interest, and finally the opportunity to act. For Tilly, social movements occur in circumstances of multiple sovereignty, a situation in which the government lacks full control. • Neil Smelser’s theory treats social movements as responses to situations which undergo a series of stages. Alain Touraine argues that social movements rest on historici
