Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Summer 8-8-2014

Journal Title

Social Movement Studies

Volume Number

14

Issue Number

2

First Page

123

Last Page

141

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1080/14742837.2014.945158

Version

Post-print: the version of the article having undergone peer review but prior to being published

Disciplines

Human Rights Law | Peace and Conflict Studies

Abstract

Leaders are crucial to social movement mobilization and maintenance. They often experience conflict between a value for inclusive engagement and a sense that they are moving efficiently toward their organizations' goals. This study draws on a multisite ethnography to suggest two mechanisms through which leaders may resolve this conflict: staging (manipulating organizational procedures) and scripting (using language to reinforce these procedures). Resolving tension in this way often leaves the leader in control of organizational processes and outcomes, and has the unintended effect of stifling the actual process of democratic participation. This study emphasizes the culturally embedded inertia of the democratic ideal and highlights a particular set of tactics for democracy management. It is proposed that these mechanisms might be helpfully applied to a growing literature on inclusive engagement in contemporary associational forms as well as a range of other institutional contexts.

Notes

Original publication information:

Choi-Fitzpatrick, A., “Managing Democracy in Social Movement Organizations”, Social Movement Studies, 2015: 14 (2), 123-141.

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