Social Movement ( Sociology Optional)

Background

  • Social movement, a loosely organized but sustained campaign is in support of a social goal, typically either for the implementation or the prevention of a change in society’s structure or values.
  • Although social movements differ in size, they are all essentially collective.
  • That is, they result from the more or less spontaneous coming together of people whose relationships are not defined by rules and procedures but who merely share a common outlook on society.

Thinkers Perspective

  • Mario Diani argues that nearly all definitions share three criteria: "a network of informal interactions between the individuals, groups and/or organizations, engaged in a political or cultural conflict, basis of a shared collective identity.
  • Sociologist Charles Tilly defines social movements as a series of contentious performances, displays and campaigns by which ordinary people make collective claims on others. For Tilly, social movements are a major vehicle for ordinary people's participation in public politics.
  • Sidney Tarrow defines a social movement as "collective challenges [to elites, authorities, other groups or cultural codes] by people with common purposes and solidarity in sustained interactions with elites, opponents and authorities." He specifically distinguishes social movements from political parties and advocacy groups

Social movements and social change

  • Social movements are intrinsically related to social change.
  • They do not encompass the activities of people as members of stable social groups with established, unquestioned structures, norms, and values.
  • It reflects the faith that people collectively can bring about or prevent social change if they will dedicate themselves to the pursuit of a goal.
  • Uncommitted observers may regard these goals as illusions. Asked about their activities, members of a social movement would not reply.
  • They know that to bring about a change in the way things have “always” been done or sometimes to prevent such a change from coming about.

The major trends of reformist and revivalist movements in 19th century India

Reformist Movement:

  • The reformist movements strived to change the fundamental system and structures of the society through gradual changes within the existing institutions.
  • In the nineteenth century these were not purely religious They were socio-religious movements.
  • These movements were oriented toward a re-structuring of the Indian society along modern lines.
  • The spread of western education and liberal ideas were the main reasons for emergence of reform movements In India. One example of such movement is Brahmo Samaj.
  • The reform perspectives of the movements and their leaders were characterized by a recognition of interconnection between religious and social issues.
  • Leaders attempted to make use of religious ideas to bring about changes in social institutions and practices. For example, Keshub Chandra Sen, an important Brahman leader, interpreted the "unity of godhead and brotherhood of mankind" to eradicate caste distinctions in society.

The major social problems which came within the purview of the reform movements were:

  • Emancipation of women in which sati, infanticide, child and widow marriage were taken up
  • Casteism and untouchability
  • Education for bringing about enlightenment in society.

 In the religious sphere the main issues were:

  • Idolatry Polytheism
  • Religious superstitions
  • Exploitation by priests

Revivalist Movement

  • Revivalism, generally, renewed religious zeal within a Christian group, church, or community, but primarily a movement in some Protestant churches to revitalize the spiritual zeal of their members and to win new adherents.
  • The major emphasis of these movements were emphasis on personal conversion.
  • Revivalist movements believed that western thinking and missionary propaganda would ruin Indian culture and ethos, and thus there was a need to protect the religion.
  • They were also influenced by the rich cultural heritage of Indiabrought to light by western scholars and found that it was even superior to western culture.
  • The Arya Samaj followed the motto “Go Back to Vedas” and the Suddhi Movement started by it aimed reconversion of those Hindus who had once been willingly or forcibly converted into other religions but were now willing to come back into the fold of Hinduism also it prevented further conversion.
  • The key similarity between these movements was that all of them wanted to change the status quoin the society wherein several deformities had crept in.
  • All of them, in some way or other, attacked on inhuman practices such as sati, female infanticide, child marriage etc. along with superstitions, complex rituals and so on.

Factors related to social movements

Relative Deprivation:

  • A social movement usually starts because the people are unhappy about certain things.
  • They may feel that they are not getting enough or they feel that they are deprived of something.
  • The Naxalite movement would have this as a cause.
  • The peasants felt that they were being exploited and deprived of their rights and the fruits of their labour. They therefore decided to protest.
  • Similarly, the movement for abolition of reservation of seats for backward classes in educational institutions, which took place in Gujarat, was again a result of relative deprivation.
  • The upper castes felt that their children were being deprived of seats in good schools because of the reservation policy.
  • At the same time those pressing for more reservation are doing so because they too feel deprived.

Structural Strain:

  • However, all social movements do not arise out of relative deprivation.
  • They can also originate from structural strain.
  • When the prevailing value system and the normative structure does not meet the aspirations of the people, the society faces strain, a new value system is sought to replace the old.
  • This leads to conflicts and tension. Usually individuals in such a situation violate the social norms.
  • For example where intercaste marriage is not permitted we may still find a few cases of such marriage, in violation of the norms.
  • However only when individual actions are replaced by collective action does a social movement take place.

Revitalisation:

  • These movements are started to solve a problem collectively.
  • They do not merely protest against what they define as wrong but also try to provide an alternative.
  • Though social movements express dissatisfaction and dissent against the system, they may also offer a positive alternative.
  • Indeed they may be started for revitalizing the existing system which is undergoing structural strain.
  • This urge for revitalisation can generate a movement, which promotes patriotism, and national pride could be caused by youth movements, which encourage young people to help and organise the oppressed, or the literacy movements are other examples.

Indian saints who brought social reform and awareness

  • Raja Rammohan Roy can be regarded as the central figure of India’s awakening for championing the spread of modern education, science and technology and for his relentless fight against many social evils.
  • G Bhandarkar and M.G. Ranade carried out their work of religious reforms in Maharashtra through the Prarthana Samaj by propagating inter-caste marriages, freedom from priestly domination and improvement of a lot of women.
  • Swami Dayananda Saraswati founded the Arya Samaj and pleaded for the right of individuals to interpret Vedas and free themselves from the tyranny of priests. Besides all this, the organization fought against untouchability and caste rigidity as well as worked for promoting modern education.
  • Swami Vivekananda, a great humanist, through his Ramakrishna Mission condemned religious narrow mindedness, advocated free thinking and emphasised on service for the poor.
  • The Theosophical Society, under the guidance of Annie Besant, promoted studies of ancient Indian religions, philosophies and doctrines.
  • Religious reforms among the Muslims were carried out by Sayyid Ahmad Khan who encouraged Muslims to adopt modern education; denounced polygamy, purdah system and spoke against religious intolerance, ignorance and irrationlism.