David Meyer defines social movement (SM) as the “organized challenges to authorities that use a broad range of tactics, both inside and outside of conventional politics, in an effort to promote social and political change” (30). While many of social movements fail to attain its immediate goal, Meyer believes that they can “lastingly change political debates, governmental institutions and the wider culture” (31). In particular, social movements can “influence public policy, at least by bringing attention to their issues” (32) and it can also “alter not only the substance of policy, but also how policy is made” (33) through the creation of new institutions such as departments or agencies in response to activists’ demands. On an individual level, Meyer states that SM “also change the people who participate in them, educating as well as mobilizing activists, and thereby promoting ongoing awareness and action that extends beyond the boundaries of one movement or campaign” (35).
I agree with Meyer when he said that social movements do not only create the necessary political infrastructures for the next social movements but most importantly, social movements are avenues that strengthen and illustrate a democratic society (36). Indeed, the freedom to critically examine our legal institutions, and deepen our awareness and involvement over certain matters is one manifestation that we are in a democracy. This is also true even if we do not engage in rallies because the mere fact that we become informed on issues that social movements try to bring out into the center of discussions and debates means that the government itself secures its citizens’ freedom.
However, this is not always the case. In some instances, government and activists often find itself in extreme opposition – sometimes with one side using violence to contain the other. In my opinion, the descriptive essay of Meyer lacked the discussion of the ill side to the struggles of power in politics as it only focused on the effects of social movements to public policy, political institution, and political culture. At the beginning of the article, Meyer provided a definition of social movements, as stated in the beginning of this essay, that recognizes how it uses broad range of tactics that lies both inside and outside of conventional politics but the author did not examine what the definition implies and how it changes the whole picture of the relationship between activists and its government. Violent government response to activism has also been overlooked by the author.
As such, in the study of social movements, it is important to learn the power struggles within the entire political system and not just social movements’ contribution and positive effects in strengthening democracy and reconsidering public policy. An examination of both the process and the outcome will provide a more holistic understanding of political behavior.
Work Cited
Meyer, David. “How Social Movements Matter”. Contexts 2.4 (2003): 30-35. Print.
