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Resource Mobilization Theory: How to Change the Rules of the Game for Social Movements?
The success of a social movement is often subject to many factors, among which the acquisition and effective use of resources are key. Whether it is money, time or skills, the flow and use of these resources, and even the organizational structure of the social movement itself, will have a significant impact on its outcomes. Resource mobilization theory has gradually become an important cornerstone of social movement research since the 1970s. It not only challenges the traditional theory of collective behavior, but also emphasizes the rationality and organization behind social movements, and proposes that social movements are not just an outburst of individual emotions, but a carefully planned action.
According to resource mobilization theory, a professional core group within a social movement organization is dedicated to obtaining funds, supporters, media attention, and alliances with powerful people, and constantly improving its organizational structure.
In resource mobilization theory, the importance of organizational capabilities is highlighted. This theory holds that although the goals of social movements are often related to common demands, in fact, how to effectively organize and allocate resources is the key factor that determines the success of the movement. Proponents of this theory, such as John D. McCarthy and Meyer Zalter, argue that social movements cannot be simply explained by emotions or demands alone, but must take into account the acquisition and control of resources. This perspective emphasizes “institutional efficiency” as a resource in itself that influences whether social movements can successfully achieve their goals.
Resource mobilization is not limited to money and manpower, but also includes various forms of resources such as morality, culture and social organization.
According to the research of Martin Edwards and McCarthy, social movement organizations have five types of resources, including moral resources, cultural resources, social organizational resources, material resources and human resources. These resources are not limited to physical resources but also include far-reaching social capital such as support and legitimacy. For example, during the civil rights movement in the United States, movement leaders such as Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King used these resources to mobilize resources in conjunction with multiple organizations such as the NAACP and the Southern Christian Leadership Council. Facilitate an effective social movement.
However, resource mobilization theory is not without its critics. Some scholars point out that this theory lacks an explanation of social movement communities and cannot fully explain how groups with limited resources can successfully trigger social change. Furthermore, critics argue that the theory fails to adequately take into account the power of factors such as emotion, identity, and culture, which play a crucial role in many macro-sociological issues.
The rise of the civil rights movement did not simply stem from widespread frustration among the black people, but from the mobilization and organization of leaders.
In addition to the civil rights movement, social movement cases such as MoveOn.org and the Arab Spring also demonstrate the application of resource mobilization theory. As a social movement platform, MoveOn.org enables people to easily start or sign petitions through convenient online facilities, showing how to effectively use available resources to promote the realization of common social goals. With the help of political opportunity theory, MoveOn.org fully demonstrated the successful case of resource mobilization.
- The success of the civil rights movement lies in its extensive organizational mobilization.
- MoveOn.org demonstrates the importance of modern technology in social movements.
- The Arab Spring made full use of social media to spread messages and accelerate the process of social change.
Through the above examples, we can see that resource mobilization theory is not only an analytical tool for social movements, but also establishes interdisciplinary links in multiple research fields. These connections include framing theory, which emphasizes the importance of diagnostic and predictive frames in social movement narratives. The development of resource mobilization theory reflects researchers' diverse understanding of social movements and promotes in-depth research on the internal dynamics and environmental structure of movements.
Ultimately, the exploration of resource mobilization theory does more than discover a blueprint for success in social movements; it challenges our understanding of solidarity and change. Faced with the ever-changing social landscape, can these theories effectively respond to the progress and challenges of the times? Will this become a key issue in our future research?
