The Choice of Organizational Form in Social Movements

• In Event: Democracy, Social Movements and Civil Society

Abstract

The organizational form of social movements can affect its outcomes. Some scholarship argue that a centralized form is more effective for a movement’s success because it can predict future challenges, utilize opportunities, and adjust to new realities(Aubert et al., 2017). Other scholars argue that a decentralized form enables a movement to avoid repression (Nikolayenko, 2012a). As an institutional explanation, regime type is widely cited as an explanation for the organizational form. However, I argue that regime type alone cannot explain the organizational form of a movement. I explore the impact of six institutional factors that may affect organizational form choice: 1) regime repression; 2) geographic scope; 3) content of demands; 4) use of social media; 5) pre-existing experience of movement members;6) spontaneity.
This paper employs four compelling case studies to illuminate the factors' relative influence, focusing on movements in Nigeria, Serbia, Pakistan, and Egypt. Drawing from the existing literature on these cases, it becomes evident that repression by the relevant regime plays a pivotal role in shaping choices of centralized versus decentralized movement form in some cases. However, the organizational form adoption is far from straightforward, adding a layer of intrigue to my exploration.

Author

• Ahmadullah Archiwal, University of Connecticut