“Social Movement Organizations”

McCarthy and Zald

Social Movement: Not Adequately Studied

Studying Social MovementsScholars focused on deprivation and beliefs and ignored the “strategic

dilemmas” of SM leaders and organizers.

Resource Mobilization

New Theory: Resource MobilizationRM seeks to address questions relating to the “strategic dilemmas” of SM.

Studying Social Movements as “Firms”

Concepts Central to Resource Mobilization:

SMS: Social Movement SectorA group of SMIs: All SMIs in a society

SMI: Social Movement IndustrySocial Movement Industry: SMs that share goals

SMO: Social Movement OrganizationIs an Org that identifies its goals with the preferences of a SM

SM: Social MovementConcerns both preferences and org action for change.

Resource Mobilization

Perspective Emphasizing Deprivation and Beliefs

Initial Focus was on GrievancesThe common assumption was that “shared grievances and generalized beliefs”

were preconditions for the emergence of a social movement.

Others scholars, like Tilly, have focused on political processes by which SM emerge.

Resource Mobilization

McCarthy and Zald: Down play GrievancesGrievances are a part of SM formation, but they play a secondary role in

organization.

What matters is organization and elite resources and support.

Resource Mobilization

Resource MobilizationRM takes as a central question Olson’s collective action problem:

How do we explain collective behavior from a neo-classical perspective where its assumed that everyone seeks to maximizes their self-interest?

Resource Mobilization

Key aspects of Resource Mobilization:

1) A study of resources (money and labor) is crucial to understanding SM.2) Focus on the organization needed to attract and use resources.3) Role of individuals and groups outside the SM.4) Supply and Demand analysis of the flow of resources to SM.

Resource Mobilization

Traditional Resource Mobilization

Support Base

SM based on grievances SM may or may not be based on Grievances. Others (Conscience Adherents) may provide the support for the SM.

Strategy Tactics less clear, and based on prior political history.

Clarify strategic tasks of SM: -Mobilize supporters -Converting mass publics,

Relations to Society

Focus on how environment shapes SM

Focus on how SM utilizes the environment.

Resource Mobilization