Social Movements

Definition

Social movements are collective efforts by a group of individuals who come together to bring about social, political, or cultural change. They often aim to challenge existing power structures and advocate for specific causes or issues.

Related terms

Interest Groups: Interest groups are organized associations that represent the interests of specific sectors of society. Unlike social movements, interest groups focus on influencing government policies rather than broader societal change.

Social Change: Social change refers to the transformation of societal norms, values, behaviors, or institutions over time. It can be brought about by various factors including social movements.

Activism: Activism involves taking action to promote or oppose certain causes or issues. It can take many forms such as protests, demonstrations, lobbying, or online campaigns.