social movement theory
/ˈsoʊʃəl ˈmuːvmənt ˈθɪəri/ · so·cial move·ment the·o·ry
noun
- A body of scholarly frameworks that explain how, why, and with what effects groups of people organize to pursue collective social change. The professor assigned a chapter on social movement theory to help us understand the dynamics of the climate‑justice protests.
- The specific perspective or model within that body of scholarship, such as resource‑mobilization theory or new social movement theory. Her dissertation focuses on the resource‑mobilization strand of social movement theory.
Synonyms
collective action theorymovement studiesprotest theoryactivism theorypolitical mobilization theorysocial protest theorymass movement theorycivil resistance theory
Antonyms
Did you know? The term "social movement theory" entered mainstream academic usage after the 1972 book *The Social Movement Society* popularized resource‑mobilization and political‑process models.