Social Movements

Social movements are organised collective actions aimed at bringing about social change to address societal issues. They arise when individuals or groups experience dissatisfaction, deprivation, or dissent from the existing social order or system.

Features of Social Movements

• Sustained collective action over time.
• Organised collective action with leadership and structure.
• Shared objectives and ideologies.
• Aim to bring about change on public issues.

Exam Question

Q: What are the key features of social movements?

A: Social movements are characterised by sustained collective action, organisation with leadership, shared objectives, and the aim to bring about social change.

Counter Movements

Counter movements arise in defence of the status quo, opposing social movements. For example, when Raja Ram Mohan Roy campaigned against Sati, the Dharma Sabha petitioned the British government to not legislate against the practice.

Exam Question

Q: What is a counter movement? Give an example.

A: A counter movement defends the existing social order against change. For example, the Dharma Sabha opposed the abolition of Sati.

Difference Between Social Change and Social Movements

• Social change is a continuous, ongoing process resulting from many social actions over time.
• Social movements are organised efforts with specific goals to bring about social change.

Exam Question

Q: How do social movements differ from social change?

A: Social change is a broad, ongoing process, while social movements are organised collective actions with specific goals to achieve social change.

Theories of Social Movements

Relative Deprivation Theory

This theory explains social movements as arising from psychological feelings of deprivation and resentment when a social group feels worse off compared to others. However, deprivation alone does not always lead to social movements.

Collective Action Theory

Proposed by Mancur Olson, this theory views social movements as aggregations of rational individuals pursuing their self-interest through collective action.

Resource Mobilisation Theory

McCarthy and Zald argue that the success of social movements depends on the availability and effective use of resources such as leadership, organisation, and communication within political opportunity structures. However, social movements can also create new resources like symbols and identities.

Exam Question

Q: Briefly explain the Resource Mobilisation theory of social movements.

A: The Resource Mobilisation theory states that social movements succeed when they effectively mobilise resources like leadership, organisation, and communication within favourable political contexts.

Types of Social Movements

• Redemptive Movements: Aim to change personal consciousness and actions. Example: Ezhava community reform led by Narayana Guru.
• Reformist Movements: Seek gradual change in social and political arrangements. Examples: 1960s linguistic reorganisation of states, Right to Information campaign.
• Revolutionary Movements: Aim to radically transform social relations, often by capturing state power. Example: Bolshevik Revolution in Russia.

Exam Question

Q: What are the main types of social movements? Give examples.

A: Redemptive movements change personal beliefs (e.g., Ezhava reform), reformist movements seek gradual social change (e.g., Right to Information campaign), and revolutionary movements aim for radical transformation (e.g., Bolshevik Revolution).

Old Versus New Social Movements

Old social movements primarily focused on changing power structures and economic inequalities, often linked to political parties. Examples include worker, peasant, and anti-colonial movements.

New social movements focus on improving quality of life and address a broader range of inequalities including social, cultural, and political. They involve civil society groups, NGOs, and pressure groups. Examples include environmental, women's, and tribal movements.

Exam Question

Q: How do old social movements differ from new social movements?

A: Old social movements focused on economic inequality and power structures, often linked to political parties, while new social movements address broader social and cultural issues involving diverse groups.

Ecological Movements

Ecological movements critique development models that exploit natural resources and harm the environment. They highlight issues such as displacement caused by large dams and advocate for sustainable development.

Chipko Movement

• Started by villagers, including women, to protect forests by hugging trees to prevent logging.
• Emphasised the importance of forests for firewood, fodder, and livelihood.
• Highlighted the interconnectedness of economy, ecology, and political representation.
• Inspired slogans like Sunder Lal Bahuguna's “Ecology is permanent economy.”

Exam Question

Q: What was the Chipko Movement and why was it significant?

A: The Chipko Movement was a forest conservation movement where villagers hugged trees to prevent cutting. It raised awareness about environmental protection and sustainable livelihoods.

Class Based Movements

These movements focus on economic class struggles, including peasants and workers fighting exploitation.

• Peasant Movements: Examples include the Bengal Indigo Revolt (1859-62), Deccan Riots (1875), Bardoli Satyagraha (1928), and Tebhaga Movement (1946-47).
• Workers Movements: Addressed exploitation in factories and plantations, leading to the formation of trade unions.
• Trade Unions: First union formed in Madras (1918), Textile Labour Association by Gandhi, and All India Trade Union Congress (1920).

Exam Question

Q: Describe the significance of class based movements in India.

A: Class based movements fought economic exploitation of peasants and workers, leading to organised trade unions and labour rights movements.

Caste Based Movements

These movements focus on caste identity and fight against discrimination and untouchability.

• Dalit Movements: Fight for dignity and rights, examples include Dalit Panthers, Anti-Brahman Movement, Mahar Movement.
• Backward Class Movements: Organisations like Hindu Backward Classes League and All India Backward Classes Federation.

Exam Question

Q: What are the main objectives of caste based movements?

A: To fight caste discrimination, abolish untouchability, and secure social and educational reservations.

Tribal Movements

Tribal movements arise from the alienation of tribal communities from their forest lands and cultural identity.

• Key tribal groups include Santhals, Hos, Oraons, and Mundas in Jharkhand.
• Birsa Munda led a major uprising against British colonial rule.
• Christian missionaries and literacy helped unify tribal identity.
• Common opposition to exploitation by migrant traders and moneylenders.

Exam Question

Q: What are the main causes of tribal movements in India?

A: Alienation from forest lands, exploitation by outsiders, and desire to protect tribal culture and identity.

Women’s Movements

Women’s movements aim to improve women’s rights and achieve gender equality.

• Organisations include Women’s India Association (1917), All India Women’s Conference (1926), and National Council for Women in India (1925).
• Participated in movements like Tebhaga and Telangana struggles.
• Focus on creating a gender-just society.

Exam Question

Q: Name some key women’s organisations and their objectives.

A: Women’s India Association, All India Women’s Conference, and National Council for Women in India worked to promote women’s rights and gender equality.

Solved Examples

Example 1: Explain the difference between redemptive and reformist social movements.

Answer: Redemptive movements seek to change individuals’ personal beliefs and actions, while reformist movements aim to bring gradual changes in social and political systems.

Example 2: What role did trade unions play in workers’ movements?

Answer: Trade unions organised workers to demand better wages and working conditions, leading to labour rights and legal reforms.

Practice Set

Easy

• Define social movements.
• What is a counter movement?
• Name one ecological movement in India.

Moderate

• Explain the Resource Mobilisation theory.
• Describe the main objectives of caste based movements.
• What are the features of reformist social movements?

Challenging

• Compare old and new social movements with examples.
• Discuss the significance of tribal movements in India.
• Analyse the role of women’s movements in social change.

Answer Key

Easy:

1. Organised collective action aimed at social change.
2. Movement defending the status quo against social change.
3. Chipko Movement.

Moderate:

1. Success depends on mobilising resources like leadership and organisation.
2. Fight against caste discrimination and untouchability, seek reservations.
3. Gradual change in social and political arrangements.

Challenging:

1. Old movements focused on economic inequality; new movements focus on quality of life and broader issues.
2. Tribal movements protect land rights and cultural identity, resisting exploitation.
3. Women’s movements have advanced gender equality and social justice.

Quick Reference

• Social Movements: Organised efforts for social change.
• Counter Movements: Defend existing social order.
• Theories: Relative Deprivation, Collective Action, Resource Mobilisation.
• Types: Redemptive, Reformist, Revolutionary.
• Examples: Chipko Movement, Peasant Movements, Dalit Movements.

Glossary

• Social Movement: Collective action aimed at social change.
• Counter Movement: Movement opposing social change.
• Relative Deprivation: Feeling of being worse off than others.
• Resource Mobilisation: Using resources effectively for movement success.
• Redemptive Movement: Movement changing personal beliefs.
• Reformist Movement: Movement seeking gradual social change.
• Revolutionary Movement: Movement aiming for radical social transformation.
• Trade Union: Organisation of workers for labour rights.
• Dalit: Social group historically subjected to untouchability.
• Tribal Movements: Movements protecting tribal rights and identity.