SOC 0352 Lecture 5: Cycles of Protest
Cycles of Protest
Tarrow
- A phase of heightened conflict across the social system
- Characterized by rapid diffusion of protest to new sectors, rapid innovation in forms of
contention
- Periods of widespread collective action
o 1960s: women’s movement, gay rights, anti-war, environment
How do cycles begin?
- Mobilizing event
- Collective action frames (civil rights)
What happens during the cycle in terms of strategies, interactions among movements and with
targets?
- See successful tactics in creating change
- Networks
Why do cycles of protest decline?
- External political factors
- Internal struggles
What are consequences of cycles of protest?
- Some movements never completely disappear, but evolve into other things
Origin factors
- Political opportunities
- Grievances and issues
- Master frame
- Critical events
- Initiator movement (s)
- Organization
- Leadership
- Strategies and tactics
Role of internet
- Play a major role in the diffusion of protest
- Models of protest spread rapidly around the world through new communication
technologies
