Old social movements and new social movements differ in several ways, though these differences are not always clear-cut. To understand them, we can compare their organizational structure, goals, and methods.
Organizational Structure:
Old social movements were typically more structured and hierarchical. They often had clear leadership, defined membership, and formal strategies. For example, the labor movements of the 19th and 20th centuries, such as trade unions, had a strong, organized leadership that could negotiate with employers or governments.
On the other hand, new social movements tend to have looser structures. They are often more decentralized, meaning they might not have a single leader or a formal hierarchy. Instead, they rely on collective decision-making and cooperation. Movements like the environmental movement or the global justice movement operate in this way, allowing many smaller groups and individuals to work together toward a shared goal without rigid structures.
However, this distinction isn’t always absolute. Movements can evolve over time from being loosely organized to more structured as they grow and mature. For instance, the feminist movement in its early stages was more informal but later developed more formal organizations like women’s rights groups. Sociologist Alan Scott (1990) noted that there’s a continuum between loose and tight organization, meaning old and new movements share similarities in how they operate organizationally.
Goals and Focus:
Old social movements focused primarily on economic and class-based issues. Their goals were often tied to material needs, such as better wages, improved working conditions, and political representation. The labor movement and civil rights movements are examples of old social movements where the primary focus was on achieving equal rights or fair treatment for certain groups in society.
New social movements, however, focus more on issues related to identity, culture, and lifestyle rather than just economic demands. These include movements around gender, environment, and LGBTQ+ rights. For instance, the LGBTQ+ movement works not just for legal rights but also for social recognition and the acceptance of diverse identities. The environmental movement focuses on global issues like climate change and pollution, which concern the entire planet rather than just a single nation or group.
Importantly, Scott suggests that the distinction between old and new social movements is more a result of underlying social changes rather than a completely new form of activism. Both types of movements are responses to societal conditions, with old movements addressing industrial-age concerns, and new movements reacting to issues in a more globalized, information-based society.
Methods and Strategies:
Old social movements often relied on direct action methods such as strikes, protests, and lobbying governments to make changes. For instance, labor unions frequently organized strikes and negotiations to push for better working conditions and wages.
New social movements tend to use a wider variety of methods, including not just protests but also campaigns focused on raising awareness and changing public opinion. Social media plays a large role in new movements, allowing them to organize quickly and reach large audiences. For example, the #MeToo movement began as an online campaign, where individuals could share their personal stories to raise awareness about sexual harassment and assault.
Additionally, new movements often frame their struggles as global rather than local or national. The climate change movement, for example, recognizes that environmental problems cross borders and require worldwide solutions, so they often engage in international conferences, online campaigns, and global protests.
Social Critique and Transformation:
Both old and new social movements challenge societal norms and institutions, but the way they do so is somewhat different. Old social movements often critiqued the economic structure and inequalities based on class. New social movements focus more on critiquing cultural and social norms, like gender roles or environmental exploitation.
New social movements also emphasize creating a new kind of social identity. Eyerman and Jamison (1991) argued that social movements are not just about material demands but are also about creating a new understanding of who people are. This process is called “cognitive praxis,” meaning that as people participate in movements, they also shape new identities and new ways of thinking about the world.
For example, the feminist movement has not only fought for women’s rights but also reshaped the way society thinks about gender. It has introduced new concepts like gender equality and challenged traditional gender roles, leading to a transformation in how society views women’s roles in the family, workplace, and politics.
In summary, the differences between old and new social movements lie in their structure, goals, and strategies. Old movements are more hierarchical, focused on economic and class-based issues, and rely on traditional forms of protest. New movements are more decentralized, focus on identity and global issues, and use modern tools like social media. Despite these differences, both types of movements play a crucial role in critiquing and transforming society. They allow marginalized voices to be heard and push for changes that challenge the status quo.
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