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Social Movements, Law, and Rational Choice Institutionaliism: A Theoretical Integration

Sun, August 17, 12:30 to 1:30pm, TBA

Abstract

I propose and develop a law-centered rational choice framework for the study of social movements. Current social movement theory and research (SMTR) draws heavily on rational choice principles, yet generally avoids explicit reference to RCT. Also, although legal institutions are among the most influential rational incentive structures conditioning political action at all levels in modern society—including collective social movement behavior—law is by and large theoretically and empirically peripheral to SMTR.. Accordingly, I argue that SMTR can be improved and made more parsimonious by subsuming its two core paradigms—the “political process” and cultural “framing” perspectives—within a broader rational choice framework. Specifically, I contend that a “rational choice institutionalism” (RCI) approach—one significantly focused on law and legal institutions—is an ideal theoretical vehicle through which to build a more general rational choice framework for the study of social movements and collective action. Such a framework can contribute to better understanding and explanation of the incentives, preferences, options, objectives, and actions of social movements. I conclude with an empirical illustration of the U.S. lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) movement to inform how such a framework might be conceived and used in practice.

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