Differentiating Collective Action and Social Movements
Collective action is collaborative when individuals work together towards a common goal or interest. It can be short-term and focused on a specific issue or event. A social movement, on the other hand, is a sustained and organized collective effort that seeks to promote or resist change in society or social institutions. It typically involves a series of related campaigns and persists over an extended period.
Insights from Toby Chow’s TED Talk
In Toby Chow’s TED Talk, he uses the “fish” image to illustrate the idea of a social movement. He describes individuals in society as fish swimming in a stream (TEDxTalks, 2013). The direction of the stream represents the status quo or the dominant social forces. When fish swim with the stream, they follow the prevailing social norms.
However, when fish decide to swim against the current, they attempt to change the stream’s direction. This act of resistance is akin to collective action. When more fish come together to swim against the current, their combined efforts can form a social movement that has the power to alter the flow of the stream itself, signifying a change in social norms or structures.
Analyzing Black Lives Matter Through Conley’s Typology of Social Movements
Based on Conley’s typology of social movements, Black Lives Matter can be classified as a reformative movement. Reformative movements seek to make limited societal changes across an entire society. Black Lives Matter aims to address racial inequality and systemic racism within the existing social and political framework, particularly in the context of police brutality against African Americans. It does not seek to overthrow the existing social order entirely but to reform it by advocating for changes in policy, practice, and awareness concerning racial issues.
Personal Reflection: Choosing a Cause for a Social Movement
If I were to start or join a social movement, the issue I would support is climate change. This cause is critical as it affects all facets of life on Earth and requires immediate and extensive action to mitigate its impacts. The social movement I envision aligns with a revolutionary movement, as it radically reimagines society’s relationship with the environment, with far-reaching changes to economic systems, energy consumption, and lifestyle habits. It would demand a shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, promote sustainable practices, and press for significant policy changes at both national and international levels.
Another term that could be applied is alternative movement, as part of the movement’s goal would be to offer alternative, sustainable ways of living that reduce our carbon footprint and preserve the planet for future generations. This movement would involve activism, policy advocacy, and educational campaigns to inform and empower individuals to make environmentally conscious choices in their daily lives.
Reference
TEDx Talks. (2013). Social movements – a primer: Toby Chow at TEDxUofIChicago [Video]. YouTube. Web.