Which of the following are characteristics of social movements?
(A) It has leadership and structure.
(B) It is a sustained collective action.
(C) It always brings about revolutionary change.
(D) It must have a shared objective and set of strategies.
Choose the correct answer from the options below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → (A), (B) and (D) only
(A) It has leadership and structure. Correct. Spontaneous, disorganised protest is not a social movement. Collective action must have some degree of organisation, which may include a leadership and a structure that defines how members relate to each other, make decisions and carry them out.
(B) It is a sustained collective action. Correct. A social movement requires sustained collective action over time, often directed against the state to demand a change in its policy or practice; a single outburst does not make a movement.
(C) It always brings about revolutionary change. Incorrect. Social movements are of three kinds: redemptive, which change the consciousness and actions of their own members; reformist, which change the existing order step by step; and revolutionary, which try to transform it radically. Only the last aims at revolution, and counter movements even defend the status quo.
(D) It must have a shared objective and set of strategies. Correct. Those taking part have shared objectives and ideologies, and the movement has a general orientation or way of approaching the change it wants to bring about or prevent.
NCERT (2025-26): “8.1 Features of a Social Movement … A social movement requires sustained collective action over time. Such action is often directed against the state and takes the form of demanding changes in state policy or practice. Spontaneous, disorganised protest cannot be called a social movement either. Collective action must be marked by some degree of organisation. This organisation may include a leadership and a structure that defines how members relate to each other, make decisions and carry them out. Those participating in a social movement also have shared objectives and ideologies. A social movement has a general orientation or way of approaching to bring about (or to prevent) change. These defining features are not constant. They may change over the course of a social movement’s life.…” “…There are different kinds of social movements. They can be classified as: (i) redemptive or transformatory; (ii) reformist; and (iii) revolutionary.…” |