Social Movements: Influences on Political Behavioral Science - Essay Sample

Introduction

According to Zhang and Zhao (2018), this is a way of handling different situations or problems in a social setting by use of the social movements as it may be determined by the political behavioral science. The school of thought presupposes that the success or failure of the social or grassroots movements is influenced by the existing political right set of the prevailing circumstances (Zhang & Zhao, 2018).

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Social Movements

Before research, social scholars considered the participants of social movements as illogical and nonconformists preferred to political players. However, the political opportunity theory overturned that perception and instead came up with basic outlooks that dictate the success of social movements (Zhang & Zhao, 2018). These components include political opportunities which could be driven by the expansion of those who had been originally eliminated from the system like women (Zhang &Zhao, 2018). Secondly, it requires mobilizing arrangements such as organizations that offer membership, leadership, and communication (Zhang & Zhao, 2018). Additionally, there has to be framing procedures that allow leaders to identify problems and seek effective solutions to them (Zhang & Zhao, 2018). Importantly, the protest cycle has to exist to put the leaders on toes, and the contentious repertoires, that explains how social movements register their assertion.

Limitations of the Political Process Theory

According to Tang (2017), as time moves, the development of the socioeconomic procedures lead to a downswing in the social movement. As a consequence, social control is tempered with, and this further leads to the reduction of the capacity of social movements to guide and maintain their members (Tang, 2017). Moreover, support from other institutions is lost (Tang, 2017). Besides, some individual members may work to maintain the movement itself rather than the collective responsibility and goals (Tang, 2017). In consequence, native support is misplaced.

Significance of the Political Process Theory

According to Zhang and Zhao (2018), Political Process Theory plays a crucial role in the achievement of change in the political, educational, health, religious, among other institutions. In so doing, public opinion is positively influenced (Zhang & Zhao, 2018). Besides, they enhance resource mobilization in an equitable manner (Zhang & Zhao, 2018). Importantly, it creates social standards and the conduct of a society.

Conclusion

To conclude, this theory offers the interpretation of the state of affairs, attitude, as well as the undertakings that drive the social movements towards the attainment of their goals (Zhang & Zhao, 2018). According to this theory, the attainment of the set objectives by a movement is guaranteed if only the right political opportunities are available and effectively engaged.

References

Tang, A. (2017). Reverse political process theory. Vand. L. Rev., 70, 1427.
https://heinonline.org/HOL/Page?handle=hein.journals/vanlr70&div=38&g_sent=1&casa_token=6h3scXjzsCoAAAAA:g1vEaj0klVUn31wOAMKmXtZjXMIk-9BsF0KhO7kD6fiG5yWaJVbujAGEQW4yiUs14dpIGUT4U08&collection=journals

Zhang, X., Jennings, E. T., & Zhao, K. (2018). Determinants of environmental public participation in China: an aggregate level study based on political opportunity theory and post-materialist values theory. Policy Studies, 39(5), 498-514.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01442872.2018.1481502?casa_token=4XBv2fJZ594AAAAA%3A2MRQ8qSI_3j5wj6hKJ3XJKYMWrCF8KVzzxAsLneXdt_FIgiqWgsCzuTUt5-Vd-vq1jvilx_8-hE4wmsxlw