Exam 13: Social Movements and Contentious Politics

Contemporary social movements have found greater visibility and success because they are able to form international networks and broaden their support strata.

The Ukrainian Orange Revolution is an example of apparent success of a social movement which then quickly deteriorated into something other than what the demonstrators had hoped for.

A social movement tends to exist for only a short time within a political system whereas a ____________________ tends to last longer in comparative terms.

Because social movements have flexibility in terms of tactics and are loosely organized, they are vulnerable to manipulation by self-serving leaders or can be converted to causes different from the original cause that brought people together.

Critical Thinking Social movements often explode with emotion and commitment for some cause. That is, they often rally around what people are AGAINST. The integrity and longevity of the movement is clear until whatever the movement is against is removed. At that point, movements splinter and dissolve because there is little or no consensus about what people are FOR. Is this inevitable or is there a solution? How easy do you think it is to turn a movement into a political party? The Polish Solidarity movement might be a useful example for you to examine.

The example of Ukraine's protest over election irregularities is popularly called the ________________ Revolution.

Today, most social movements champion causes on the ideological right. They use the internet to tighten commitment to the movement.

Social movements and "grass-roots" politics are the very same thing.

Modern social movements suffer from the psychology associated with public goods.

Social movements often draw their energy from civil society.

The informal organization of social movements has advantages and disadvantages. Write an essay in which you explain and analyze these advantages and disadvantages.

Social movements have neither increased nor decreased over the past thousand years. They have always been a significant and constant part of the texture of any political system.

Social movements when they emerge are a meaningful reflection of the democratic spirit of a people and proof that democracy exists in that society. Comment.

Social movements:

In the 1999 Battle of Seattle:

What factors help explain the increased numbers of social movements, along with their increased impact?

The Tea Party movement:

The inclination of social movements to alter the tactics and/or focus is called ______________________.

Loosely coordinated actions, flexible tactics, leadership to give voice and coherence, and ____________________ organization are all characteristics of social movements.