All of these different groups worked together to amass resources and direct them toward the same goal. Crossman, Ashley. One criticism of resource-mobilization theory is that it a. minimizes the importance of deprivation and dissatisfaction. Criticism. (2021, February 16). Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/resource-mobilization-theory-3026523. Reprinted in Richard A. Cloward and Frances Fox Piven (1974) The Politics of Turmoil ( New York: Pantheon. Criticisms of Resource Mobilization Theory While resource mobilization theory has played an influential role in creating a better understanding of resource mobilization and movement participation, there are sociologists who have criticisms (Fitzgerald & Rodgers, 2000; Fominaya, 2022; Sapkota, 2021). The resource mobilization (RM) theory was developed in the early 1970s to challenge social breakdown and relative deprivation theories that identify individual grievances as the primary. About The Helpful Professor Resource mobilization is the process of getting resource from resource provider, using different mechanisms, to implement the organization's work for achieving the pre-determined organizational goals.. 6.2 Resource Mobilization Theory. (1967) Rent Strike: Disrupting the Slum System, 2 December, The New Republic, reprinted in Richard A. Cloward and Frances Fox Piven, (1974), The Politics of Turmoil. It is a corrective to some of the malintegration (MI) literature in which movements are portrayed as mindless eruptions lacking either coherence or continuity with organized social life. Wilson, Kenneth L. and Anthony M. Orum (1976) Mobilizing People for Collective Political Action. Journal of Political and Military Sociology, vol. Impressionistic Criticism is a school of Literary Theory. What Is Political Socialization? the original goals of a social movement are sometimes swept The theory implies that social movements require the participation of powerful or elite members of society in order to be successful . [20], Resource mobilization theory also includes a very important emphasis on the political process. 13 pp. Some movements are effective without an influx of money and are more dependent upon the movement of members for time and labor (e.g., the civil rights movement in the US). Kerbo, Harold R. and Richard A. Shaffer (1986) Unemployment and Protest in the United States, 18901940; A Methodological Critique and Research Note. Social Forces, vol. Resource-Mobilization Theory emphasizes the importance of resources in social movement development and success. c. Resource Theory. However, critics say it underestimates the importance of harsh social conditions and discontent for the rise of social movement activity. They thus tend to normalize collective protest. Reprinted in Richard A. Cloward and Frances Fox Piven (1974) The Politics of Turmoil ( New York: Pantheon). Robert J. Morrow Eminent Scholar and Professor of Social Science, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-23747-0_8, Shipping restrictions may apply, check to see if you are impacted, Palgrave Social & Cultural Studies Collection, Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout. This rise of the Civil Rights Movement didnt come about because the whole African American community felt a sudden frustration all at once and decided to start an uprising. For many people, relative deprivation means the lack of resources or time to support certain lifestyles, activities, and amenities that an individual or group has become . Resource Mobilization to Help People Experiencing Homelessness. In: Lyman, S.M. D.Its focus on psychological strain pathologizes participants. It is concerned with the subjective presence of writers/speakers in texts as they positively or negatively evaluate both the material they present and those with whom they communicate. Wolf, Eric (1969) Peasant Wars in the Twentieth Century ( New York: Harper & Row). . The relativedeprivation theory takes criticism from a couple of different angles. (Cambridge, MA. Piven, Frances Fox (1981) Deviant Behavior and the Remaking of the World. Social Problems, vol. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. c. does not apply to movements in industrial societies. Piven, Frances Fox and Richard A. Cloward (1988) Why Americans Dont Vote ( New York: Pantheon). This is mainly due to the essential fact that without resources, regardless of how one defines them, social movements simply cannot generate enough momentum to sustain themselves. As each movements response to the opportunity structures depends on the movements organization and resources, there is no clear pattern of movement development nor are specific movement techniques or methods universal. 64, pp. Which of the following is a criticism of resource-mobilization theory? In: Lyman, S.M. 79 (September). In the 1960s and 1970s, sociology researchers began to study how social movements depend on resources in order to bring about social change. But it didn't close the gap that the 5% cost-share created. This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution. Scott, James (undated) unpublished, The Hidden Transcript of Subordi-nate Groups(New Haven, CT: Department of Political Science, Yale University). McCarthy, John D. and Mayer Zald (1977) Resource Mobilization and Social Movements. American Journal of Sociology, vol. It posits there are certain conditions that need to be met. Researcher Bernadette Barker-Plummer investigated how resources allow organizations to gain media coverage of their work. Mobilization of resources means the freeing up of locked resources. 4. Kerbo, Harold R. (1982) Movements of Crisis and Movements of Affluence. Unable to display preview. McCarthy, John D. (1987) Pro-Life and Pro-Choice Mobilization: Infrastructure Deficits and New Technologies, in Mayer N. Zald and John D. McCarthy (eds), Social Movements in an Organizational Society. Mobilization is said to occur when a particular group(in this case one assumes a social movement) assembles the aforementioned resources with the explicit purpose on using them to achieve a common goal, change or message through collective action. Doi: https://doi.org/10.3126/jps.v21i1.39280. [19]By moving slightly away from the purely social/cultural or political and instead focusing more generally on resource management and strategy, resource mobilization theory highlights the growing importance of strategic/instrumental action. This is a key feature which provides useful insights into the how social movements interact within the political system. c. Involvement of the elites often results in the demise of a social movement. It is a theory that is used in the study of social movements and argues that the success of social movements depends on resources (time, money, skills, etc.) d. Elites have the most to gain from a social movement. Before the model is defined, however, the historical origins of the concept are examined briefly. Which of the following is a criticism of resource-mobilization theory? More particularly, to recall Webers analysis of social action, the motives that predispose the actor to act may be not merely instrumental, but habitual, affective and, above all, expressive.[23]If the theory only cares about the rationality of actors, then it fails to account for what rationality actually is, as the definition of such ranges from individual to individual. Ginsberg, Faye (1989) Contested Lives: The Abortion Debate in an American community ( Berkeley, CA: University of California Press). [3]They base their ideas on the structure of grievances, in so far as they look to determine what opportunities, links or networks exists within the aggrieved group, in order to give rise to enough mobilization as to claim a social movement. 4 (December). 4 (Summer 1991), pp. McCammon, Holly J. The theory implies that social movements require the participation of powerful or elite members of society in order to be successful. Your email address will not be published. ), with the assistance of Mark Naison, The Tenant Movement in New York City, 19041984 ( New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press ). What is a criticism of the resource mobilization theory. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1533-8525.2000.tb00074.x. 13, pp. { "21.3A:_Social_Movements" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", "21.3B:_Types_of_Social_Movements" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", "21.3C:_Propaganda_and_the_Mass_Media" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", "21.3D:_The_Stages_of_Social_Movements" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", "21.3E:_Relative_Deprivation_Approach" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", "21.3F:_Resource_Mobilization_Approach" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", "21.3G:_Gender_and_Social_Movements" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", "21.3H:_New_Social_Movements" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()" }, { "21.01:_Social_Change_and_Collective_Behavior" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", "21.02:_Sources_of_Social_Change" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", "21.03:_Social_Movements" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()" }, [ "article:topic", "showtoc:no", "license:ccbysa", "columns:two" ], https://socialsci.libretexts.org/@app/auth/3/login?returnto=https%3A%2F%2Fsocialsci.libretexts.org%2FBookshelves%2FSociology%2FIntroduction_to_Sociology%2FBook%253A_Sociology_(Boundless)%2F21%253A_Social_Change%2F21.03%253A_Social_Movements%2F21.3F%253A_Resource_Mobilization_Approach, \( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}}}\) \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash{#1}}} \)\(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)\(\newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\), status page at https://status.libretexts.org, Use the resource-mobilization theory to explain some of the successful social movements in history, such as the Civil Rights Movement. John McCarthy and Mayer Zald released a paper in 1977 where they outlined what would become resource mobilization theory. Your email address will not be published. Part of Springer Nature. McCarthy, John D. and Mayer Zald (1973) The Trend of Social Movements in America: Professionalization and Resource Mobilization ( New Jersey: General Learning Press). Social movements in a globalized world. Reprinted from International Journal of Politics, Culture, and Society, vol. Accordingly . The third overarching criticism of resource mobilization theory stems of its apparent lack of real world considerations. McAdam, Doug, John D. McCarthy and Mayer N. Zald (1988) Social Movements, in Neil J. Smelser (ed. Piven, Frances Fox (1969) Militant Civil Servants. Transaction, vol. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. Naison, Mark (1986) From Eviction Resistance to Rent Control: Tenant Activism in the Great Depression, in Ronald Lawson (ed. Some of the assumptions of the theory include: Critics of this theory argue that there is too much of an emphasis on resources, especially financial resources. Given the overarching criticisms inherit to the theory itself, it should come as no surprise that the theory has lot a lot of ground to other theories of social movements, such as Political Opportunities theory, Frame Alignment theory or any of a new number of New Social Movement theories. 187202. 4, pp. Foweraker outlines political negations as being more commonplace than any other political tool and states, Since [rational] choice is often a result of interactions with a living political environment, it makes little sense to think of it as uncontaminated by negotiations[29]Another interesting point made by Scott Lash and John Urry in their paper, The New Marxism of Collective Action: A Critical Analysis argue that, the rationality applying to one-off game-like situations does not necessarily apply to long-term relations.[30]This also applies to the theory of free-riding in which people may participate in a movement purely because of the advantageous position it will put them in, and not because they truly feel motivated in the movement itself. Kerbo, Harold R. (1982) Movements of Crisis and Movements of Affluence. It is a corrective to some of the malintegration (MI) literature in which movements are portrayed as mindless eruptions lacking either coherence or continuity with organized social life. A distinction must be drawn between the two, as merely gathering resources is not mobilization. They were aided in their cause by the resources they had from the organizations as well as labor unions, student organizations and small businesses. [27]Also, an associated weakness of the theory is that it gives little room for any sort of cultural considerations. Disclaimer: This is an example of a student written essay.Click here for sample essays written by our professional writers. In this case, resources include knowledge, money, media, labor, solidarity, legitimacy, and internal and external support from a powerful elite. While a social movements resource mobilization approach can affect its success, this is not always predictive. Critics point out that resource mobilization theory fails to explain social movement communities, which are large networks of individuals and other groups surrounding social movement organizations, and providing them with various services. Problem: cannot ensure equal treatment. Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. Too many families continue to struggle, with no relief in sight. ( Boston: Beacon Press). Flacks, Richard (1988) Making History: The Radical Tradition and the American Mind ( New York: Columbia University Press). Part of the Main Trends of the Modern World book series (MTMW). Resource mobilization theory can also be applied to the social movement MoveOn.org, which is a platform that allows people to start petitions to bring about social change. McAdam, Doug (1982) Political Process and the Development of Black Insurgency 19301970 ( Chicago: University of Chicago Press ). (New Jersey: Transaction Books). The theory implies that social movements require the participation of powerful or elite members of society in order to be successful. According to resource mobilization theorists, there are several ways that SMOs can acquire the resources they need: for example, social movements might produce resources themselves, aggregate the resources of their members, or seek out external sources (whether from small-scale donors or larger grants). Tilly, Charles (1981) As Sociology Meets History ( New York: Academic Press). McCarthy, John D., Mark Wolfson, David P. Baker and Elaine M. Mosakowski (in press) The Foundations of Social Movement Organizations: Local Citizens Groups Opposing Drunken Driving, in Glenn R. Carroll (ed. 1 (November). - 185.30.35.39. 121241. According to Frances Fox Piven and Richard Cloward, other factors besides organizational resources (such as the experience of relative deprivation) are important for understanding social movements. 5.Which of the following could be a criticism of resource mobilization theory? The profit motive functions according to rational choice theory, or the theory that individuals tend to pursue what is in their own best interests. Foweraker identifies these as prior social organizational interaction and says, Levels of prior social organization influence the degree and type of social mobilization.[22]. The Sociological Quarterly,41(4), 573-592. Shorter, Edward and Charles Tilly (1974)Strikes in France, 1830 to 1968 (NY: Cambridge University Press). Definition and Examples, What Is a Grassroots Movement? Abstract. The careful weighing of costs and benefits implied by the means/end model falls far short of a universal or complete account of collective action, if only because action may be its own reward. Appraisal is a technical term in systemic functional linguistic theory for the system describing semiotic resources that realize stances or attitudes. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves. Its roots can be traced back to the founders of Western culture. Resource mobilization theory positions social movements as social institutions run by rational people that are created with the goal of bringing about social change. Factors they included range from various forms of political power, to the oft conflicting interests of the state and the aggrieved group and finally to the political resources the group has or may need[4]. Cloward, Richard A. and Frances Fox Piven (1989) Why People Deviate in Different Ways, in New Directions in the Study of Justice, Law and Social Control, edited by the Arizona State University School of Justice Studies Editorial Board ( New York: Plenum). 1, pp. Learn more about our academic and editorial standards. Foweraker believes this shortcoming gives rise to two fundamental flaws of resource mobilization theory and described these two problems as such. In 1977, John McCarthy and Mayer Zald published a key paper outlining the ideas of resource mobilization theory. 4 (December). Definition Resource Mobilization is a process, which will identify the resources essential for the development, implementation and continuation of works for achieving the organization's mission. 7, no. 2, no. One criticism of resource-mobilization theory is that it a. minimizes the importance of deprivation and dissatisfaction. American journal of sociology,82(6), 1212-1241. 7, no. If one person enjoys protesting for the sake of protesting and not, as the theory would say, to achieve a goal, then how can the theory describe their rationality as a participant in a social movement? Conversely, the organization/entrepreneurial model emphasizes resource management, the role of leaders and leadership, and the dynamics of organization. In this example, the activists in these countries used social media platforms as a way to spread the message and call to action about their social causes. Download preview PDF. (1975) The Strategy of Social Protest (Homewood, Il: Dorsey). Reprinted in Richard A. Cloward and Frances Fox Piven (1974) The Politics of Turmoil ( New York: Pantheon. 4, pp. What Is Civic Engagement? [1] ), Handbook of Sociology ( Beverely Hills, CA: Sage Publications ). Material assets include currency, buildings, people, telephones and computers. a. The process of mobilizing resources begins with the formulation of a resource mobilization strategy, which may include separate strategies for mobilizing financial and in-kind resources. tive behavior theory. B. CrossRef Gamson, William A. (eds) Social Movements. McCarthy, John D. (1987) Pro-Life and Pro-Choice Mobilization: Infrastructure Deficits and New Technologies, in Mayer N. Zald and John D. McCarthy (eds), Social Movements in an Organizational Society. No longer were social movements viewed as irrational, emotion-driven, and disorganized. Critique of Resource Mobilization Theory* Frances Fox Piven and Richard A. Cloward INTRODUCTION Over the last two decades, "resource mobilization" (RM) analysts have emphasized the importance of institutional continuities between conventional social life and collective protest.l There is much about this interpretation with which McCarthy, John D. and Mayer Zald (1973) The Trend of Social Movements in America: Professionalization and Resource Mobilization ( New Jersey: General Learning Press). [15]. Theyll be better able to plan and ensure that their organizations can continue their work and improve and expand on their services. Fominaya, C. F. (2020). 4 (23 March). Sutherland, Edwin H. (1947) Principles of Criminology fourth edition (Philadelphia, PA: J.B.Lippincott Company). [14], The other main aspect of the theory is the mobilization aspect. This approach is much more economics based and therefore tries to apply various economic theories to the study of social movements. What Is Bureaucracy, and Is It Good or Bad? 1984 ). How can this corporation. The theory assumes that all social systems (including the family) rest to some degree on force or the threat of force. 2, no. (1978) The New York Review of Books vol. Read more about this topic: Resource Mobilization, However intense my experience, I am conscious of the presence and criticism of a part of me, which, as it were, is not a part of me, but a spectator, sharing no experience, but taking note of it, and that is no more I than it is you. This theory can apply to this website because the website itself is a resource that the social movement can use to mobilize other resources and ensure the success of their overall goal. Non-material assets include ideology, will-power, political support, leadership and solidarity. Resource theory (Goode 1971) is one of the first theoretical explanations developed to explain intimate partner violence. This theory has been criticized for placing too much emphasis on resources, particularly financial resources, as the success of some movements depends more on the time and labor of members rather than on money. Resources are understood here to include: knowledge, money, media, labor, solidarity, legitimacy, and internal and external support from a power elite. Collective Protest: A Critique of Resource-Mobilization Theory. Accounting. Bloomsbury Publishing. 62, pp. If your specific country is not listed, please select the UK version of the site, as this is best suited to international visitors. Western art criticism focuses on theory and philosophy. Resource Mobilization - Criticism Criticism Critics point out that resource mobilization theory fails to explain social movement communities, which are large networks of individuals and other groups surrounding social movement organizations, and providing them with various services. aside from traditional financial resources, there are other forms of support which will be beneficial to you. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-23747-0_8, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-23747-0_8, Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London, eBook Packages: Palgrave Social & Cultural Studies CollectionSocial Sciences (R0). The theory assumes that all social systems (including the family) rest to some degree on force or. Mobilization of resources means freeing up of locked resources. Resource mobilization is a major sociological theory in the study of social movements which emerged in the 1970s. It may be harder for these groups to gain access to any resources while it can be easier for groups to do so. Hobsbawm, Eric J. Lodhi, Abdul Qaiyum and Charles Tilly (1973) Urbanization and Collective Violence in 19th-Century France. American Journal of Sociology, vol. Therefore resources may be drained and fail if enough free riders are brought on. (1978) The New York Review of Books vol. Resource mobilization theory (RMT) developed during the 1970s as a new generation of scholars sought to understand the emergence, significance, and effects of the social movements of the 1960s (see Jenkins 1983; McAdam, McCarthy, & Zald 1988; Edwards & McCarthy 2004). 2. Resource mobilization theory emerged in the late 1970s as a response to the theories of collective deprivation that dominated the field of social movement studies. Cloward, Richard A. and Frances Fox Piven (1966) A Strategy to End Poverty. The Nation, 2 May. Another aspect of this particular strength of resource mobilization theory lies in its explanatory power to explain the various dynamics of mobilization; to help identify the various resources that social movements need in order to mobilize, the distinctive organizational features needed with condition social movements and the ever growing relationships between the political system as a whole and these movements. The theory purports to understand the dynamic relationship between social movements, yet pays no heed to events such as political negotiations, bribery, espionage and sabotage. Scott, James (undated) unpublished, The Hidden Transcript of Subordi-nate Groups(New Haven, CT: Department of Political Science, Yale University). Theyve made the case that other approaches are also necessary to gain a real understanding of social movements. The future development of resource mobilization theory lies in two directions: extending the polity theory to deal with different states and regimes, including the development of neo-corporatism, and providing a more sophisticated social psychology of mobilization. Tilly, Charles, Louise Tilly and Richard Tilly (1975) The Rebellious Century ( Cambridge: Harvard University press). Studentsshould always cross-check any information on this site with their course teacher. Definition and Examples, What Is Transnationalism? All work is written to order. Coupled with its relative openness and adaptability should make resource mobilization theory a useful tool for the foreseeable future. Sutherland, Edwin H. (1939) Principles of Criminology, third edition ( Chi-cago: University of Chicago Press). McPhail, Clark (1991) The Myth of the Madding Crowd ( New York: Aldine de Gruyter). result, the 'when' of social movement mobilization-when political oppor-tunities are opening up-goes a long way towards explaining its 'why.'. Resource Mobilization Theory Resource mobilization theory is used in the study of social movements and argues that the success of social movements depends on resources (time, money, skills, etc.) An example of this is the barriers that certain social groups may face due to the way society is set up. ), Gender and the Life Course ( New York: Aldine ). C. - 195.201.69.25. Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative, Over 10 million scientific documents at your fingertips, Not logged in [32]However, there is still plenty of underlying merit of resource mobilization theory, which this paper believes will keep it in the foreground of social movement theory for the foreseeable future. 28, no. Although the resource mobilization theory has gained popularity over time, the increment in the usage rate in analyzing social movements has not been without challenges. as a collective response to structural weaknesses in society that have a psychological effect on individuals. The five categories of resources that organizations seek to obtain are material, human, social-organizational, cultural, and moral. Moore, Barrington (1966) The Social Origins of Dictatorship and Democracy: Lord and Peasant in the Making of the Modern World. Doi: https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/abs/10.1086/226464, Sapkota, M. (2021). The pioneering work of Jo Freeman and Anne Costain uses these. Piven, Frances Fox and Richard A. Cloward (1988) Why Americans Dont Vote ( New York: Pantheon). Rule, James B. Google Scholar. Piven, Frances Fox (1984) Women and the State: Ideology, Power and the Welfare State, in Alice Rossi (ed. In their paper, McCarthy and Zald began by outlining terminology for their theory: social movement organizations (SMOs) are groups that advocate for social change, and a social movement industry (SMI) is a set of organizations which advocate for similar causes. Moreover, an examination of the structure of the political system tends to yield interesting results regarding the set of political factors with either facilitate or harm the emergence of social movements. and the ability to use them. 4, p. 41. Download preview PDF.