1. Stage-setting, political prehistory: what are the institutional, systemic, structural and social aspects of a group’s subordination, insecurity or inequality? What can we learn about the history of these relations? What kinds of contestation or resistance preceded more concerted movement activity?
2. Movement life and people: what are the “resources” that have been woven into the fabric of the movement? How do culture and subject formation affect movement trajectory? Do personal stories help shed light on the processes of movement subject formation and movement building?
a. Movement leaders (“entrepreneurial work”)
b. Message Framing (problem definition)
c. Responses to Political Opportunities (external or “supply side” factors)
d. Forging of Collective Identity (remember social theory of the nation from 201)
e. Developing/Adopting/Adapting Strategies and Tactics (creativity, new knowledge, organizing)
f. Becoming the Vision and Voice of Adherents (related to collective identity)
3. The Macro Picture: movements and hegemony: how do dominant actors (governments, media, civil society institutions, economic elites, cultural elites, etc.) react to movement challenges? How is movement-based dissent diffused or quashed, accommodated or repelled? How do movement actors react to “concessions” from the powers that be? What narratives get constructed to deal with the meaning of such dissent, or periods of such dissent? What theory underpins your understanding of how such movements function in democratic societies?
If a group doesn’t clearly have an “international” aspect to it, can you still think it through in relation to the course readings? Does this movement express any of the historic dilemmas of anti-systemic movements generally? Does it speak to a local manifestation of a more global problem or structure? How does this movement attempt to make a positive change in a complex, globally connected world?
