Answer to Question #287821 in Sociology for PBM

Question

Distinguish between old Social Movement and the New Social Movement. (500 words)

Answer 1

Distinguish Between Old and New Social Movements.

Old social movements were movements for change that existed for many years ago; they fought for particular social changes, including the peasants, the working class, aristocrats, whites, men, and protestants. At the same time, the New social movements focus on human rights and protection of people's welfare, rather than worldly concerns and economic developments. The old social movement is an output industrial society. It was a class-based movement. At the same time, the new social movement is a product of the post-industrial society.

A social movement is a group of people with a common interest; they either promote or stop particular social changes. Old social movements were majorly aimed at reorganizing power relations as their central goal. New social movements mainly focused on improving the quality of life, such as creating a clean environment rather than power distribution. The role of political parties was the epitome of the old social movements; class-based traditional political action under trade unions has declined drastically. During the new social movement era, issues relating to class-based exploitations and inequality were no longer of central concern.

Political scientists attributed the surge of social movements to the people's increasing levels of dissatisfaction with parliamentary democracy. Since the representation in these political parties was not effective for the population at large, social movements and non-political were formed. Through these social movements, the poor had a chance to pressure the state from outside and give their views concerning their welfare. In the new social movements, a larger phrase was used to refer to the old social movements, which are primarily represented by labor unions and political parties. 

New social movements emphasized social inequality and unequal distribution of resources as their essential element. They argue and mobilize on improvement in agricultural products and against the removal of agricultural subsidies. These social movements were against the exploitation of farmers rather than the old social movements mainly concerned with representation and political parties' formation and representation. Women's movements worked towards gender-related issues whereby women were discriminated against in workplaces, among other economic areas. The concerns of the New Social Movement are not limited to the old themes of economic injustice and organization along class lines, as was the case with previous social movements. They bring people together across class lines; for example, women's movements bring together urban and middle-class feminists as well as economically disadvantaged women. Regional movements bring people together who do not share the same class identities.

Old social movements were concerned with old issues, and the information offered was not adequate to the state's individuals. During the new social movements, which can also be referred to as the information age, social movements can unite in either regional or international networks. They can unite as non-governmental organizations, humanitarian and religious groups, an association of human rights, environmental activists, consumer protection advocates, and other public interest campaigns. Social movements act as bridges for an ordinary person to participate in public politics within a state. Old social movements have advanced to the new social movements due to technological changes that promote provision of information.