Blackwell Reference Online

Extract

All societies generate dissatisfaction among their people based on unequal distributions of wealth, power, and privilege, and disagreement over social policy, social norms, and public behavior. The aggrieved may organize to obtain satisfaction by petitioning legitimized political, economic, and cultural institutions. If these efforts are not successful, they may take to the streets. Social movements are sustained collective actions occurring outside legitimated institutions of social power in pursuit of social goals (→ Collective Action and Communication ). Social movements historically have championed the interests of disadvantaged groups such as industrial workers, racial minorities, and women. Unable to command the economic or political resources available to interest groups and political parties, movements must generate a large and dedicated membership as their power base. Widespread support for movement goals does not guarantee a large or committed membership, however. Olson (1965) noted that activists pay a price for their activism but they rarely are materially compensated for all their costs. To explain the widespread existence of social movements and the sometimes extreme sacrifice members make on their behalf, scholars point to subjective rewards of movement membership. Interpersonal communication and interaction among activists are intrinsically satisfying, generating ... log in or subscribe to read full text