What are New Social Movements (NSMs), and how do they differ from traditional forms of collective action? Critically examine the structural, institutional, and ideological challenges faced by NSMs in the socio-political contexts of developing countries.

New Social Movements and the Politics of Collective Agency in Developing Societies: A Critical Appraisal Introduction New Social Movements (NSMs) have emerged as significant agents of socio-political transformation since the late 20th century, challenging both the analytical frameworks of classical social movement theory and the institutional boundaries of formal politics. NSMs are broadly characterized by … Continue reading What are New Social Movements (NSMs), and how do they differ from traditional forms of collective action? Critically examine the structural, institutional, and ideological challenges faced by NSMs in the socio-political contexts of developing countries.

Does the proliferation of social movements signify a democratic expansion of participatory political space, or does it reflect a structural erosion and declining legitimacy of representative institutions? Critically examine this duality with reference to theories of democratic engagement and empirical illustrations from diverse political contexts.

Social Movements and the Democratic Dilemma: Expansion of Participation or Crisis of Representation? The global proliferation of social movements over the past few decades—ranging from the Arab Spring and Occupy Wall Street to India’s anti-corruption movement, Chile’s student protests, and France’s Yellow Vests—has sparked scholarly debate on whether these phenomena constitute a deepening of democracy … Continue reading Does the proliferation of social movements signify a democratic expansion of participatory political space, or does it reflect a structural erosion and declining legitimacy of representative institutions? Critically examine this duality with reference to theories of democratic engagement and empirical illustrations from diverse political contexts.

New Social Movements and the Transformation of Political Mobilization in Contemporary Democracies The emergence of New Social Movements (NSMs) from the 1960s onward marked a pivotal transformation in the nature of political mobilization in democratic societies. These movements—centered around issues such as the environment, gender, sexuality, peace, and human rights—challenge the classical paradigms of political … Continue reading In what specific respects do New Social Movements (NSMs) differ from traditional class-based movements, and how do their ideational, organizational, and strategic innovations reflect a shift in the nature of political mobilization in contemporary democratic societies?