Define and discuss the meaning of social movements with suitable examples.
In the society a large number of changes have been brought about by efforts exerted by people individually and collectively. Such efforts have been called social movements. A social movement may, therefore, be defined as “a collectively acting with some continuity to promote or resist a change in the society or group of which it is a part”.
According to Anderson and Parker, social movement is “a form of dynamic pluralistic behaviour which progressively develops structure through time and aims at partial or complete modification of the social order.” Lundberg and others define social movement as, “a voluntary association of people engaged in concerted efforts to change attitudes, behaviour and social relationships in a larger society.”
Thus, social movement is the effort by an association to bring about a change in the society. A social movement may also be directed to resist a change. Some movements are directed to modify certain aspects of the existing social order whereas others may aim to change it completely. The former are called reform movements and the latter are known as revolutionary movements.
Social movements may be of numerous kinds, such as religious movements, reform movements, or revolutionary movements.
Social movements may be distinguished from institutions:
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Firstly, Social institutions are relatively permanent and stable elements of a culture, whereas social movements have an uncertain life. Marriage is a permanent social institution but the life of family planning movement is not certain. Secondly, institutions hold institutional status. They are regarded as necessary and valuable aspects of the culture. A social movement lacks institutional status. Some people are indifferent or even hostile to it.