Sociology 432: Social Movements

The purpose of the paper is to analyze a specific case study according to the general sociological principles we have discussed in class. We are especially interested in whether these cases fit (or are exceptions to) the general patterns of the relationships among

• tactics,
• organizational style,
• time, and
• success.

Describe the tactics your movement has employed in the past. Place your organization along the dimension of tactical militancy and confrontation. Compare your movement's tactics to the "repertoire of contention" used in the movements discussed in the readings, films, and lectures

Has there been any historical sequence to the choice of tactics (and does this fit the general historical pattern)? Has your movement considered using other tactics but rejected them? How innovative have the tactics been (and why might this be important)? What were the consideration for and against the use of these rejected tactics? What were the pros and cons considered for the tactics used?

How successful have these tactics been? That is, has your group achieved the goals it was intended to fix? This is often the most difficult dimension to rate. Most movements want to picture themselves as successful but you have to be more critical. Be sure to distinguish between the means to that goal and the goal itself. Does your case study fit the general pattern of the relationship between tactics and success?

Evaluate the impact of your movement's tactics on its opponents. Does your movement choose its tactics primarily to put pressure on opponents or more to gain media recognition and change public opinion? Have other actors/targets been important for the success of the movement (e.g., allies, the media, and government)? Do you think other (more or less confrontational) tactics might be more successful? Why or why not?

One explanation of tactical choice is the degree of formal organization (bureaucratization) of the movement. Describe how your movement has handled the problem of organization: is its style more democratic and participatory? or more formal and bureaucratic? Or does it resemble an abeyance structure? Compare and contrast the organizational style to the movements we have discussed or read about.

How does the organizational type described above fit the tactical strategies of your movement? Does the degree of bureaucratization match the role that disruption plays in your organization's tactics? Has the organizational style changed over time or does its length of existence fit its organizational style? Compare and contrast to examples of the patterns we have discussed.

What other factors help to explain why or why not your organization has engaged in disruption? What are the roles of frustration? of provocation by official opposition? of the need to win concessions from elites? of the need for media attention? of a desire to move public opinion away from the current "moderate" position? Compare and contrast to all of the movements we have discussed.

Maximum length: six pages. Due: Monday, November 21