COLLECTIVE ACTION / SOCIAL MOVEMENT

Collective Action and Social Movement

Collective Action and Social Movement

Collective Action

Collective action refers to the pursuit and struggles made in the achievement of pre-defined goals and targets. It may be group or a team of people striving for the accomplishment of desired outputs. The purpose of this struggle may vary from an organizational, political, social or any other cause. Group of people striving for target oriented output may refer as a team, while a rather informal struggle is commenced by a group. The association of people to a goal or a number of goals is crucial for collective action. Collective action in sociology refers to the exploration of elements that are dissimilar or similar to the collective action in diverse places at different times. Collective actions that are involved in the settlement of standards and their association with social framework presents the concept of collective action in sociology. This concept may also assist in the identification of standards that leads to factors responsible for discrepancies and conflicts (Sierra, L, F. 2007).

Problem identified in collective action

The problem that arises from collective action is the benefit of a number of individual, from a certain action. Collective actions require cost form it initiation which could be suffered a single individual. For the proper commencement of collection action and the attainment of the desired targets, it is necessary to mutually plan this collection action so that everyone would share the cost of initiative taken. Theoretical problem which were identified, can be resolved by the outset of collective action space. There are a number of theories associated with collective action.

Theories of Collective Action

Traditional Collective Action Theory relates to the lack of formal orientation in collective actions. It represents that classic collective action were based on the centralized focus of information flow, which restricts or sometimes mislead these collective efforts. However, with the influence of technology and modern means of communication, it has become considerably easier and the flow of information is available for all involved in the action. It should also be considered that, with maximum availability of information chances of wrong use of information might increase.

Social capital theory focuses on the types of a group to which people belong. He suggested that a group may contain member of different orientations. He says that anonymous interest-oriented group could develop within a group. These subgroups can be on the basis of political, environmental and identification, like racial and ethnic groups. This would adversely impact the achievement of collective goal rather these subgroups will end up in the pursuit of their self developed targets.

Theory of an organization is a concept that can influence the collective action. These theories represent the strict organizational structure and the focused commencement of the group in the achievement of the predetermined targets. It represents two aspects. First, it allows possibilities of engagement, which represents the adaptability and flexibility of organizations to change as per requirement for achievement of ...