Solidarians and Externalists: Linking Expectations to the Backgrounds and Experience of Contemporary Protestors

• In Event: 277 - Section on Collective Behavior and Social Movements Roundtable Session (one-hour).
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 10. Social Psychology and Movements

Abstract

This study seeks to account for the differing expectations that protestors may have of who is affected by their protest activity. It does so through the use of survey data collected at two very different protest events – the Republican National Convention Protests of 2004 and the School of the Americas Watch Vigil in 2004 and 2012. While most protestors can be labeled ‘Externalists’ since they expect that their activity would have an impact on external reference groups, a substantial minority are ‘Solidarians’ – who believe that only protestors themselves would be primarily affected. Beyond the objectives of the events, the difference in the expectations of the protestors can also be linked to the extent of their past involvement in protest activity, membership in social movement organizations and their recruitment and accompaniment by family members and friends. Activists and scholars can benefit from further understanding protestor expectations since these are crucial to the success and longevity of a social movement that seeks to unite diverse participants.

Authors

• Michael Franklin Thompson, University of North Texas

• Josef Woldense, Indiana University-Bloomington