Question

Explain the following concept with an example.

Social movement

Answer 1

1. According to Turner and Killian, a social movement refers to ‘A collectivity acting with some continuity to promote or resist a change in the society or group of which it is a part’.
2. Different sociologists have highlighted varying constituents of social movements in varying contexts.
   For example:
   • Women’s Movement: Environmental movements like the ·Chipko movement and Narmada Bachao Andolan are organised to protect and preserve our environment.
   • Workers’ Movement: Workers' movement to protest against the exploitative actions done on workers, like minimum wages and poor working conditions by industrial factory owners.
   • Reform Movements: Arya Samaj, Satyashodhak Samaj, Bramho Samaj, etc.
3. A social movement is a collective and organised effort by a large group of people to achieve a specific goal, usually of a social or political nature.
4. Such movements may aim to bring about, resist, or reverse a social change. Some movements seek to modify certain aspects of the existing social system, while others strive to transform it entirely and establish a new way of life.