A study of how culture influences the development of social movements.

Abstract

This exploratory study examines the influence of culture on social movements. Using historical research, discourse analysis and semi-structured interviews, I extend and refine the concepts of political opportunity structure (McAdam 1982) and collective action frames (Snow and Benford 2000), proposing that the influence of ideas, symbols, and feelings make a difference in bringing about a more successful mobilization in terms of numbers. My findings are organized around three themes, namely i) a conservative political culture leads to social movements developing more covertly, ii) using the same discourse as the state to frame one’s cause is a more effective mobilization strategy for movements under authoritarian

regimes and iii) optimistic emotions can be used to mobilize people. By analyzing how activists make sense of the context that they are in and strategically adapt their tactics

accordingly, this paper will show how social movements under authoritarian regimes mobilize people.