Page 2 - Lessonnote_ Social Movement

 When reformers campaigned for widow remarriage, they were socially boycotted.
When the so called ‘lower caste’ children enrolled in schools, some so called ‘upper
caste’ children were withdrawn from the schools by their families.

 Proposals for extending reservation in educational institutions have led to counter
movements opposing them.
Acts of social movement

 While protest is the most visible form of collective action, a social movement also
acts in other, equally important, ways.

 Social movement activists hold meetings to mobilise people around the issues that
concern them. Such activities help shared understanding, and also prepare for a
feeling of agreement or consensus about how to pursue the collective agenda.

 Social movements also chart out campaigns that include lobbying with the
government, media and other important makers of public opinion.

 Social movements also develop distinct modes of protest. This could be candle and
torch light processions, use of black cloth, street theatres, songs, poetry.

 Gandhi adopted novel ways such as ahimsa, satyagraha and his use of the charkha in
the freedom movement.

Distinguishing Social Movement and Social Change

Social Movement Social Change
Social Movements are directed towards Social Change is an ongoing and continuous
some specific goals. process.
It involves long and continuous social effort Social Change are the sum total of countless
and action by people. individual and collective actions gathered across
time and space.
th
Eg. Social Reforms in the 19 century Eg. Sanskritization & westernization
brought about social movements.

Why the study of social movement is important for sociology?

 From the beginning, the field of sociology has been interested in social movements.
The French Revolution was an integration of various social movements that aimed at
overthrowing monarchy and establishing liberty, equality and fraternity.
 The industrial revolution, marked great social disruption.

 Poor labourers and artisans who had left the countryside to find work in the cities
protested against the inhuman living conditions into which they were forced.
 These protests were perceived by elites as a major threat to the established order of
society which is reflected in the work of sociologist Emile Durkheim. Durkheim’s
writings about the division of labour in society, forms of religious life, and even
suicide, shows his concern about how social structures enable social integration.
Social movements were seen as forces that led to disorder.