POLITICS TODAY

New Social Movements

A new type of politics?

A barometer of changes in society

1. What is a “New Social Movement” (NSM)?

2. Types of New Social Movement

3. “Old” social movements

4. Why have NSMs arisen?

5. Alberto Melucci:

new types of political conflict

6. Strengths and weaknesses of NSMs

What is a New Social Movement?

“Organised activity

that encourages or

discourages social

change”

(Macionis and Plummer)

Anthony Giddens:

“A collective attempt to further a common interest or secure a common goal

through collective action

outside the sphere of established institutions”

Feminist groups

Anti-racist groups

(e.g. the Anti-Nazi

League)

Anti-War groups

Types of New Social Movement

Gay rights groups(e.g. Outrage)

Environmental groups (e.g. Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth)

Animal rights groups (e.g. Animal Liberation Front)

Common characteristics of NSMs

Critical of status quo

Focus on ONE particular issue

“Old” Social Movements

Political parties:

- inside established political system

- do not fundamentally challenge that system

Why Have NSMs Arisen?

Public disillusion with established political system

1) Distrust of politicians

2) Political system seems remote?

3) New political issues need attention

Alberto Melucci: new types of political conflict

WHO is involved?

WHAT does the conflict involve?

WHERE does the conflict occur?

WHO is involved?

Anyone (potentially)

Not class-based

Beyond Left and Right?

RepresentationParty: individual is

represented by others

Social movement: genuine

participant

WHO is involved?

WHAT does the conflict involve?

Political parties: multiple issues

(welfare, health, economy, jobs, etc. etc.)

NSMs:

single issue politics

To change the political culture

Feminist groups in 1970s:

“The personal is the political”

Politics of LIFESTYLE

Anti-Fur Industry Protests

Clothes and fashion made into

political issues

Animal Rights – since 1970s

e.g. Factory farming

Animals made political

WHERE does the conflict occur?

Political system:

Inside / invisible

NSMs:

Outside / visible

Strengths and weaknesses of NSMs

STRENGTHS:1) Can concentrate on single

issue

2) Strong commitments

3) Sense of “real” membership

4) Can build on public sympathy

WEAKNESSES:

1) OUTSIDE established system: lack influence

2) Rely on mass media

3) Public apathy

4) Bureaucratisation

5) Splits within movements:

- reformists and radicals