Date of Award
4-2018
Document Type
Thesis
Department
Political Science
First Advisor
Dr. Patrick Donnay
Abstract
In today’s tumultuous political landscape, the question of what makes an effective social movement? is often asked. This can be a complicated question to answer as social movements vary greatly across racial, ethnic, economic, and political boundaries. Therefore, I am conducting a case comparison of two widely-known socio-political organizations, the Civil Rights Movement and Black Lives Matter. In this comparison I will examine whether or not they truly fit the definition of a social movement, look at the strategies of action that have or could prove successful in enacting long-standing socio-political change, and make recommendations on how movements could continue to evolve. As a case study, I will examine the academic literature and the histories of the movements to show that while both are influential and viable, the Civil Rights Movement proves to be a more definitive example of a “movement” from an academic perspective. Black Lives Matter intentionally detaches itself from traditional movement staples, lending to a more fast-and-loose use of the term. Ultimately, I aim to contribute another voice to the social movement dialogue in order to help further the likelihood of future movement success.
Recommended Citation
Saxton, Hailee, "Examining the Strategies of Formation and Action Among Social Movements: A Comparison of the Civil Rights Movement and Black Lives Matter" (2018). Political Science Theses and Capstones. 51.
https://pines.bemidjistate.edu/capstone-polisci/51
Included in
African American Studies Commons, Africana Studies Commons, American Politics Commons, American Studies Commons, Cultural History Commons, Inequality and Stratification Commons, Intellectual History Commons, Other Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Commons, Political History Commons, Politics and Social Change Commons, Public History Commons, Race and Ethnicity Commons, Social History Commons, Social Justice Commons, United States History Commons
