Explaining Cross-National Similarities among Social Movements

Abstract

Three models designed to explain cross-national similarities among social movements are presented. Several characteristics common to most protest movements -- levels of mobilization, timing of protest, & organizational structures -- are acknowledged to facilitate the identification of cross-national similarities in such movements. Overviews are provided of (1) the globalization model, which emphasizes how global interconnectivity affects the creation of transnational structures & programs that influence national social movements; (2) the structural affinity paradigm, which recognizes similar structures across different countries that may encourage international convergence; & (3) the diffusion model, which demonstrates how internal & external networks & organizations impact information flows that may prompt protests in certain nations. The combination of all three models into a general paradigm is advocated, since it is hypothesized that a strong connection exists between motivational factors, structural changes, & people's actions. The general model is subsequently applied to new social movements in multiple Western European nations including Switzerland & France. Future research is urged to apply the general model to nations outside Western Europe. 1 Figure, 49 References. J. W. Parker