Focus of Attention of Peace Activists in Mindanao

• In Event: 3551 - Section on Sociology of Culture Refereed Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable 100min: 15. Social Networks and Social Capital

Abstract

My study demonstrates how activists’ foci of attention, generated by activists’ interactions in their primary sphere of influence, shape their understanding of how they should pursue change as well as their collective action styles. I analyze two distinct foci of attention found among Mindanao peace activists; these different foci inform and sustain two different styles of collective action—that of position-taking advocates and community bridge-builders. For several decades, social movement scholars have extensively studied the role of structural opportunities, organizational resources and more recently, the use of cultural frames and aspects of meaning making in mobilizing grievances and assessing conditions for collective action. Peacebuilding scholars and practitioners have also examined the roles and approaches of different types of actors as well as how diverse efforts can converge and contribute to building peace. Nevertheless, we fail to understand important problematics of the collective action field because we do not fully take into account the perceptual, interactional and emotional dynamics of activist groups and peace actors. In my study of peace activists in Mindanao, I give special attention to examining these extra-deliberative processes of peace activists—how activists perceive, feel and interact with others—and how this channels and constrains what these activists do in their peace work.

Author

• Hyunjin Deborah Kwak, Malone University