Communication Blog

According to Della Porta and Diani there are two types of networks in social movements. The first is exclusive networks which "demand a long novitiate, rigid discipline, and a high level of commitment, intruding upon every aspect of their members' lives" (126). Examples of an exclusive network would be many religious groups or a commune. In these networks interaction is typically only among other members, and is very rigid. On the other side are multiple organizational networks. These differ because these groups allow their members to belong to multiple groups which provides beneficial because members are able to establish personal contacts which helps with mobilization. Mobilization is extremely important in any social movement. It is one thing to care about an issue, but mobilization is key to the success of any social movement. Passy and Giugni cite four questions people ask before they get involved in a movement. The first is what is the likelihood it will be ...

The movie Harlan County, USA had a lot of elements of social movements that we discussed in class. For me, what stood out the most about Harlan County was the use of women in the strike. Women were involved in every aspect of the strike. They met together to discuss the strike; they even coordinated picketing and then carried through and actually stood on the picketline; the women at one point also laid down in the road so that the scabs could not get through; and when the police came to tell the picketers to move on the women talked to the police and even gave the police a warrant for someone's arrest. It is no doubt that women were an integral part of the mine strikes in Harlan County. Another part of the movie that I believe was important was when they went to New York City to bring publicity to their cause. While they were in New York a police officer asked if it was there first day picketing and they explained to him that it was their ninth month. This shows how little pu...

While framing is an important way to expand membership into a certain group, so are symbols. Symbols give people something to identify with in the movement. Not only do symbols allow members to bond together in an important way, but they also allow those not on the inside to recognize the movement. As Burke's article points out symbols can be used positively or negatively depending on the movement. However, people must be aware of symbols to counter it an prevent it in the future. The most recognizable symbol used in a movement was the swastika. Even though the swastika was used negatively it still allowed/allows people to identify its meaning. Burke talks about four uses of symbols: they separates the group, they get rid of the enemy, something positive comes from purging the enemy, they sell the movement. Symbols don't just have to be an object like the swastika, the human body can also be used as a symbols. Generally, the human body as a symbol can be very effective...

For social movements it is crucial to know your audience and frame your message to fit that intended audience. Social movements, like people, are not static, they are fluid and must be treated as such. Just because one individual feels strongly about an issue doesn't mean that people will be motivated to help that issue. So movements use symbols and framing to motivate people into action. Della Porta and Diani discuss framing and how it is beneficial to social movements. They define three elements of framing: the diagnostic element, the prognostic element, and the motivational element. In the diagnostic element of framing the group must construct an argument and who is to blame for the problem (create an enemy). In the prognostic element of framing the group must constuct a solution. The most effective social movements critique and then offer a solution. The motivational element is also an important step: it is whether the group can motivate people to participate in the mov...

The twenty-first century has brought about many changes, the most apparent being the use (and even dependence) on technology. While social movements have developed, so has their use of technology. Today, it is very easy to get involved in social movements thanks to the Internet. There are a variety of different ways, such as Facebook groups, online petitions, email petitions, websites, and the like. However, the Internet is not the only tool used for social movements. A main factor in many social movements, which isn't a new development, is the media. Yet, the use of the media has expanded to encompass many different factors. As I mentioned in my earlier post, not only are news stations involved in movements, but celebrities have also been getting involved. Celebrities use their high status to voice their opinions on anything from disease prevention, gay rights, environmental movements, political candidates and so on. This is a new approach to using the media besides typica...

Currently there has been a shift in new social movements. Whereas old social movements focused on resources and were either a labor struggle or a national struggle, new social movements have focused on a philosophical change, a change in people's attitudes. Another big difference between old and new movements is now social movements have gone global reaching a much larger audience then before. The shift from localized to global social movements is an important one. I went to a Catholic school and one of the big issues always mentioned was sweatshops. Now, since social movements have become global more and more people are becoming aware of sweatshops. If these movements were not global no one would even be aware of how bad these sweatshops really are because it is not happening in their own neighborhoods. The "not in my neighborhood" mentality, while still present, has shrunk because of the introduction of global social movements. Social movements are no longer indi...