Assess sociological explanations of the rise of new social movements in recent years

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Using material from Item A and elsewhere, assess sociological explanations of the rise of new social movements in recent years

There are a various amount of sociological explanations for the rise of new social movements, with arguments from sociologists like Cohen & Rai and Giddens. They offer conflicting ideas that aim to suggest why new social movements have risen, which solidify arguments made in Item A.

New social movements are similar to pressure groups. Hallsworth sees new social movements as political movements that have emerged since the 1960s and that challenge the established order of capitalist society, whereas Coxall “argues that the 1960s and 1970s witnessed an explosion of pressure group membership”. They are classified as any social movement that emerged since the 1960s. New social movements deal with a new range of issues and do not wish to be absorbed into the established political system. They do not seek power and are interested in influencing government decisions and finding different ways of organising political activity. Whereas the old social movements of the 19th century were concerned with issues such as labour conditions and tended to be class-based,  new social movements are concerned with causes such as environmental and women’s issues. Examples of new social movements include PETA, Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth and NOW. Item A, rather controversially, labels members of ALF as “animal rights terrorists” which is an idea that has divided new social movement theorists.

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Hallsworth argues that new social movements are mainly concerned with post-materialist values, in societies where most people have already attained a reasonable standard of living, which is why new social movements have risen. Cohen & Rai question whether there is a clear-cut distinction between old and new social movements. However, they do believe there have been changes with the use of new tactics, more use of modern technology and a shift towards organising on a global scale. There are more global social movements because there are more international organisations, communication has become easier and cheaper, TNCs have grown in power, ...

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