Social movements rely on strategic resource use and effective framing to succeed. Resource mobilization theory highlights the importance of organizational factors, while framing theory explains how movements shape public perception through strategic messaging.

These theories offer complementary perspectives on social movements. Resource mobilization focuses on tangible assets and strategic choices, while framing emphasizes the power of narrative and meaning-making in mobilizing support and influencing public opinion.

Resource Mobilization and Framing in Social Movements

Elements of resource mobilization theory

• Organizational and strategic factors drive social movements with rational actors making strategic choices and resources crucial for success
• Key resources include financial support, human capital (skills, expertise, labor), social networks, media access, and public legitimacy
• Organizational structures involve formal organizations as mobilizing agents and professional activists
• Strategic resource use encompasses allocation decisions and tactics selection based on availability
• Application explains variations in movement success, highlights resource acquisition and management importance, and emphasizes external support role

Framing in public perception

• Process constructs meaning and interprets events shaping issue presentation and understanding
• Key components: diagnostic framing identifies problems, prognostic framing proposes solutions, motivational framing encourages action
• Frame alignment processes: bridging connects congruent frames, amplification invigorates values, extension includes broader interests, transformation changes old understandings
• Shapes public perception by influencing issue interpretation, affecting media coverage, and mobilizing support
• Resonance importance: cultural compatibility of frames and empirical credibility

Comparative Theories and Analysis

Relative deprivation vs political process theories

• Relative Deprivation Theory focuses on psychological factors and perceived inequalities emphasizing subjective disadvantage feelings
• Key concepts: gap between expectations and reality, social comparisons (reference groups)
• Strengths: explains individual motivations, addresses emotional aspects
• Limitations: difficulty measuring subjective perceptions, doesn't fully explain collective action
• Political Process Theory emphasizes political context and opportunities, focusing on movement-political system interactions
• Key concepts: political opportunity structures, indigenous organizational strength, cognitive liberation
• Strengths: explains timing and success, incorporates structure and agency
• Limitations: may overemphasize formal political processes, less attention to cultural factors
• Comparison: Relative Deprivation (individual scope, psychological factors) vs Political Process (systemic scope, structural-political factors)
• Contrast: Relative Deprivation focuses on why individuals join, Political Process emphasizes when and how movements emerge and succeed

Strengths and limitations of movement theories

• Resource Mobilization Theory strengths: explains organizational aspects, highlights strategic decision-making importance
• Limitations: may underestimate grievances and emotions, potential overemphasis on formal organizations
• Framing Theory strengths: addresses cultural aspects, explains public discourse shaping
• Limitations: difficult to measure frame effects empirically, may overlook structural constraints
• New Social Movement Theory strengths: focuses on identity-based movements (LGBTQ+ rights), addresses cultural dimensions
• Limitations: may not apply to traditional movements (labor unions), potential overemphasis on contemporary movement novelty
• Collective Behavior Theory strengths: explains spontaneous actions (flash mobs), addresses emotional aspects of crowd behavior
• Limitations: may pathologize movements as irrational, underestimates strategic aspects
• Synthesis importance: multi-theoretical approaches, complementary nature of theories, context-specific application need