Working class movements in the capitalist west were wresting better wages, better living conditions, social security, free schooling and health security from the state. That was also a period when socialist movements were establishing new kinds of states and societies. The old social movements clearly saw reorganisation of power relations as a central goal. The old social movements functioned within the frame of political parties. The Indian National Congress led the Indian National Movement. The Communist Party of China led the Chinese Revolution. Today some believe that ‘old’ class-based political action led by trade unions and workers’ parties is on the decline. Others argued that in the affluent West with its welfare state, issues of class-based exploitation and inequality were no longer central concerns. So the ‘new’ social movements were not about changing the distribution of power in society but about quality-of-life issues such as having a clean environment.
New social movements are not just about ‘old’ issues of economic inequality. Nor are they organised along class lines alone. Identity politics, cultural anxieties and aspirations are essential elements in creating social movements and occur in ways that are difficult to trace to class-based inequality. Often, these social movements unite participants across class boundaries.
Why did some thinkers argue that old class-based movements were declining in the west?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Welfare states reduced class-based exploitation and inequality.
Option (1) Workers lost interest in politics. — Incorrect. The thinkers explain the decline by what the welfare state gave workers, not by workers turning away from politics.
Option (2) Trade unions were banned. — Incorrect. Unions were not banned; class politics led by them was declining because its issues had become less central.
Option (3) Socialism became dominant everywhere. — Incorrect. The decline is described in the affluent capitalist West, where the welfare state, not socialism, changed workers’ conditions.
Option (4) Welfare states reduced class-based exploitation and inequality. — Correct. Some argued that in the affluent West with its welfare state, issues of class-based exploitation and inequality were no longer central concerns, so ‘old’ class-based action led by trade unions and workers’ parties was on the decline.
NCERT (2025-26): “Distinguishing the new social movement from the old social movements … Today some believe that ‘old’ class-based political action led by trade unions and workers’ parties is on the decline. Others argued that in the affluent West with its welfare state, issues of class-based exploitation and inequality were no longer central concerns. So the ‘new’ social movements were not about changing the distribution of power in society but about quality-of-life issues such as having a clean environment.…” |