Politics of Social Movements Flashcards
(12 cards)
Why do social movements emerge?
arise to champion a cause that cannot be adequately addressed through existing channels (the “political opportunity structure”)
Initially, they are not institutionalized; their demands may be integrated into existing institutions
building of social networks
pre-existing networks are present => recruitment will be more successful (may at first be dormant)
Otherwise, movements will remain limited and gain little traction
=> challenges the notion of protests as completely spontaneous
=> suggests that large-scale protests have more direction and cohesion than is readily apparent
When do
social
movements
emerge?
emerge through economic and political shifts
shifts usually correspond to a drop in state repression, or the emergence of divisions among the ruling elite
often occur independently of protesters’ efforts, but they open spaces for the movements to emerge
primarily politically-oriented, directing their demands towards elites and the state
ex - losing a foreign war can undermine a government’s legitimacy
Case Study: The fall of Argentina’s
military dictatorship
1976-83 = Argentina ruled by a repressive junta (a cabal of army generals)
government killed at least 30,000
1982 = the regime provoked a war with the UK over the Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Britain defeated the Argentine military => Mass protests, regime agreed to step down and hold elections for a civilian leader
Raul Alfonsin is elected president, 1983
“Marketing” and attracting International Allies for social move.
typically compete for international support for their cause
Global civil society has a limited amount of willingness to devote resources (scarcity)
Groups that fail to calibrate their message to trendy causes, or that lack a charismatic leader capable of expressing grievances in a major Western language might not attract
international attention or support
Who are Mexico’s EZLN (Zapatista National Liberation Army)?
Leftistist rebel group Based in mainly-Indigenous Chiapas State
1994 revolution against the implementation of NAFTA (Ya basta slogan)
Recalled memory of Mexico’s
Emiliano Zapata, early 20th century rebel leader
Concrete demands: housing, food, health care, education for indigenous and rural communities
Strengthening of Mexican state sovereignty from international pressures
Now governs autonomous indigenous communities
why did the zapatistas start
Aftermath of 1982 Mexican debt crisis:
Privatization of industries, removal of constitutional labor protections dating back to 1917; agricultural privatization
Rising rates poverty
Low democratic representation for indigenous communities
Emiliano Zapata (1877-1919) quote
key figure of the military “It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees”
zapatistas global resonance
Uprising launched 1 Jan. 1994, coincided with launch of North American Free Trade
Agreement (NAFTA) - gave them recognisation
Zapatistas as “post-modern” rebel group
were considered the “most powerful force for the democratization of Mexico”
The Zapatistas’ “Post-Modern” Strategy
EZLN too weak to defeat Mexican forces militarily: few armed actions
anti-globalization, pro-solidarity message resonated worldwide
Subcommandante Marcos gave numerous press conferences to international media
Worldwide anti-globalization icons like French McDonald’s resister José Bové came to Mexico to show solidarity with Zapatistas
What year was Zapatista-led March for Indigenous Dignity?
2001
positive Impacts of Zapatista Uprising
1996 San Andres Accords with Mexican government strengthening indigenous rights and culture
Increased Zapatista’s international profile; 1996 gathering in Lacandon jungle and subsequent conventions
2001 March for Indigenous Dignity to
Mexico City
inspiring social forums elsewhere (Porto Allegre, Brazil, 2004)
