Framing in New Social Movements - Essay Example

?Framing in New Social Movements Societal changes are brought about by efforts by specific group of individuals who sense an inconsistency in the s and conduct of certain societal institutions. The urge to implement a change in attitude gives rise to the formation of several social movements. The formation of movement was influenced by the notion of the group theorist that the view, aspirations, and struggles in the society are best achieved collectively. This view has been the rationale behind the formation of several political parties, pressure group, unions, and civil groups. Movement is a form of association or forum created by individuals in the society to confront certain social issues and propose new ways by which changes could be effected to correct those issues. A platform gives the citizens the inner power that they could challenge authorities (Burns and Will, 1988, 102). Several societal movements had emerged in the past, most of which came to be because of discrimination of the black race in the post-industrial revolution society in European and American continents. Movements had been analysed by scholars as a means of involvement by individuals in the society in the political affairs different from the institutional means. Groups such as the Black Civil Rights Movements (BCRM), Anti-Vietnam War Movement, and several liberation movements emerged. It should be noted that, the purpose of such movements are limited to issues within their sphere of interest and not a nation-wide issue. Social movements in the past had been a tool whereby individuals check the excesses of the powerful elite (political class) who oppose the demands and aspiration of the masses. Recent conceptualisation of social movement had been done with respect to the type of movement that existed within their cultural context. Social movements are conceived as a product of the post-industrial society in the advanced countries of the world. Rapid industrialisation, commercialisation, technological innovations, and democratisation of the political scene had made it possible for people to advance their course outside the traditional institutions. Social movements could be defined as the continuum of inventive group behaviour, as the result of a structured band whose conflicting end is characterised by riot and mob. The use of the structure in the definition symbolises the level of cohesion and organization amongst the different members in a movement. Although, there are conflicting views on the mode of operations of some social movements, while some believe that organised method used in channelling their protest with the use of various institutional and constitutional medium, others are of the view that, social movement could be understood from their disorderly manner which they employ in advancing their course. Proponents of this view believe that, the actions of groups with respect to social movement is antithetical to democratic principles and would not encourage the growth of democratic process in a country (Alinsky, 2003, 227). Frame analysis is a research method used in the field of social sciences to explain the way people comprehend situation and human behaviours. Framing process could be explained as the process where a source of communication, conceptualise and develop a public controversy. Social movements had been tagged as successful when the projected frame and the participants’ frame align with each other to have an effect on both parties. The process of aligning the interest of both parties is referred to as frame alignment. Scholars had argued that frame alignment remains crucial in social movement, in the sense that when the frames of individuals are harmonized it could result in the frame resonance, which is pivotal to the transitioning process of a group. Although, not all-framing process had been identified as being successful; certain conditions had been identified as factors that could serve as limitations towards the completion of a framing process. The first factor is the encompassing nature of the framing process. This process spots three important framing task: the extent of this task determines to a large extent the success of the framing process. The task includes diagnostic framing, prognostic framing, and motivational framing. The diagnostic framing identifies the problem of the society and the causes. The prognostic framing proffers solution to the problem and strategies to be employed to tackle the problem. The last is the motivational framing is the call for action on the part of the framing participants. The second factor that could limit the effectiveness of framing process is the relationship that exists between the participants and the general idea or value system. If the basics of the idea are not communicated well to the participant, it may hinder them from sharing the view of the frame. Therefore, communication is an integral part of the framing process as it determines the level of the framing process. The third factor that serves as hindrance to the success of the framing process is the frames’ significance to the veracity of the member. This has to do with the assurance that the frame could address issues that are of the participant’s interest. That is, if the frame identifies the existing societal and cultural values. The fourth factor is the timing of protest. Framing process could be affected by the trends of previous frames. It is the point at which a frame emerges at a specific period in relation to the social change manifesting in the society (Alinsky, 2003, 228). Understanding the dimension of cultural influence on social movements could be best viewed from the perspective of culture as an integral part of the society. The cultural context in which a movement is being framed is of significant interest in the analysis of culture and social movements. The concept of culture has taken two centre approaches in the study of social movement. The first is the social-psychological methodology/approach, which conceptualise culture as the set of norms, motivation, and value system that makes up the individual in the society. This definition focuses more on the attitudinal and psychological belief of the individual in the society. The value system that is inherent in the society’s cultural configuration. The other conceptualisation of culture views it as entirety of ways in which man chooses to live in an exclusive political or human association. An analytical study of culture would expose us to the relative importance of culture in the understanding of social movements and several dimensions of human actions and associations. In the book of the art of necessity by Jordan John, the idea of culture and social movement was explained with the anti-capitalism protest that was made by protesters in the United Kingdom. “finally breaking down the barriers between art and protest’ and that, ‘new forms of creative and poetic resistance have finally found their time” (Jordan, 1998, 129). The book identified the non-violent means in which the protest was executed. The idea of movement was given a different dimension outside the normal street protest. “challenging official culture’s claims to authority, stability, sobriety, immutability and immortality by cheekily taking over a main traffic artery” (Jordan, 1998, 141). The book used an aspect of culture that people in the society took as a form of recreation to channel their grievances against the capitalist economy. Dance as an integral part of culture was used as a means of protesting the evil of capitalism. In addition, social movements were informed in the United States of America and West Germany because of racial disparity that was prevalent in the society. Race is also a critical issue to be analysed, considering its impact in the social configuration of different cultures in the society. The German society after the end of the world wars had a sore spot for the blacks and the same trend was prevalent in the American society. The social movements in these countries grew because of the unequal treatment given to the black race in the society. The movements in Germany was led by the black student who felt that the preferential treatment given to the white was uncalled for and demand a redress in order for everyone to be placed on an equal level. The involvement of women in social movement could be dated back to the emergence of the industrial and capitalist economy in Europe. Capitalism brought about the emancipation of women because of the efforts in the production process. This gave them the impetus to participate in the economic sector of their respective countries. Participation of women in our contemporary society in the socio-political and economic situations had made them a force to reckon with in terms of social mobilisation and movements. This view is informed by the role women play in the modern world, which we live and the level of influence which they posses over each other. This could be seen as a major factor in the formation of several movements that tend to have a large base of women as activists. When analysing the process of social movement concerning culture, then the role of women in different societies had to be considered. Most cultures of the medieval period had portrayed women as a deficient gender with no value. They attach little or no social status to the feminine gender in the socio-political and economic system in such context. Nevertheless, events of the industrial revolution as earlier stated had changed all that, as the roles of women had evolved in the society. Most women because of the industrialisation process had emerged as workers and gained relevance in the society. The book “Marxist and the women question” by Rowbotham Sheila emphasized more on the development of women movements which began in the fight against capitalism. As part of the working class in the capitalist system (proletariat), the female gender was given the impetus to participate in struggles and demonstrations. To Marx, the female gender is a product of the ever changing or advancing society, which transforms in accordance with societal transformation. The Marxist idea of the women question analyses the situation of the female gender because of its formation that is directly linked to property, nationhood, and family. The primitive society had placed both male and female on the same platform (equality) in the distribution of societal roles and responsibility. This equality placed much respect on the female gender as most of the responsibilities are placed on them. However, the expansion in the size of the society cum the increase in the property of males brought about social stratification that relegated the women to maniac house chores. In addition, capitalism engendered the involvement of women and children in the labour process. The process of the social stratification had reversed the rights of the women. The stratification which gave rise to inequality and placed the female gender as a submissive character to the male gender, by replacing the prevailing women right in the society to a new male right. The incipience of the women movement could be understood from this standpoint and the resultant effect that led to the emancipation of the female gender can only be affected by the destruction of the right system. The Marxist idea to the women question and the French revolution set the record for the evolution of the female gender and the emergence of women movement. Movements around the world had been influenced by societal displeasure, which necessitated factions in the society under a common frontier to channel their course. Social in some quarters had been regarded as antithetical to democracy because it challenges the authority and decision of the government (Burns and Will, 1988, 101). However, its legality as a way of participating in the political process has being the major boost that enables individuals in the society to be associated with the polity. Its multi-dimensionality in the form of staging a movement has also been a question in the minds of observers and analyst. As most protest and movements had been seen as a way individuals in the society take laws into their hands and constituting unrest in the polity (Alinsky, 2003, 226). The involvement of women in social movement also provides a new dimension in the understanding of social movement. Critically analysing the cultural dimension of social movement, the involvement of women would be under-estimated as studies has shown that in the post industrial revolution period, the emancipation of women had been the major protest and demonstrations by most movement in Europe. BIBLIOGRAPHY Alinsky, S, 2003, “Protest tactics” in The social movements reader: cases and concepts/ edited by Jeff Goodwin and James M. Jasper.-- Blackwell Publishers, Malden, MA, Oxford Burns, R and Wilfried van der Will 1988, The anti- authoritarian student movement (1965 to 1969): a Caesura in the Political Discourse""in Protest and Democracy in West Germany, Macmillan Press, Basingstoke Jordan, J 1998, The Art of Necessity: The Subversive Imagination of Anti-Road Protest and Reclaim the Streets in DIY Culture: Party and Protest in Nineties, Britain, Verso, London Read More