Social Movements

Learning goals

What you should be able to do

• Explain the chapter’s central sociological concepts in your own words.
• Connect social structures and processes to a specific, carefully chosen example.
• Compare explanations and recognise variation, evidence and limitations.

Essential vocabulary

Key concepts to remember

Core idea

What makes collective action a movement?

A protest or campaign can be one event within a longer movement. Movements usually involve some continuity, shared claims, organisation or networks, and interaction with opponents or institutions. They may seek reform, recognition, redistribution, autonomy or more fundamental transformation. Some movements defend an existing arrangement; others challenge it.

Theories highlight different parts of mobilisation. Resource approaches examine organisation and networks; relative deprivation focuses on perceived injustice; identity approaches explain how a shared “we” forms. No single theory explains every movement. Ask how grievances, leadership, opportunities, resources and political response combine in the case studied.

Core idea

Environmental and class-based movements

Environmental movements raise claims about forests, water, land, pollution and the distribution of ecological costs. They may connect livelihood rights with conservation and ask who defines “development.” Workers’ and peasants’ movements organise around wages, land, prices, debt, working conditions and control over production. Their interests can overlap but are not automatically identical.

A movement includes internal differences. Women, landless workers, small farmers and large landowners may experience a project or policy differently. Strong analysis identifies the constituencies, demands, methods and outcomes rather than assigning one voice to an entire category.

Core idea

Caste, tribal and women’s movements

Dalit movements challenge caste oppression, untouchability and exclusion, while asserting dignity, representation and rights. Backward-class movements have made claims about representation and access; responses among upper-caste groups have also shaped political debate. Tribal movements often focus on land, resources, identity, autonomy and displacement.

Women’s movements in independent India have addressed violence, legal equality, work, political representation and control over everyday life. Feminist organising is diverse; class, caste, religion, region and sexuality shape priorities. Movements can influence law and public language, but implementation and social practice may remain contested.

Apply the concept

Worked example

Board preparation

Practice questions

1. Define a social movement and distinguish it from a single protest.
2. Compare the central concerns of an environmental movement and a workers’ movement.
3. Explain how caste, tribe or women’s movements have challenged exclusion.

Self-check: Did I define the concept, explain the social process, use relevant evidence or an example, and avoid generalising beyond it?

Further reading

Use the current syllabus alongside these notes

These original study notes follow the Class XII Sociology topics and project guidance in the CBSE 2026–27 curriculum. Use your prescribed NCERT chapters and your school’s instructions for full detail and assessment.

Official CBSE Sociology curriculum PDF ↗

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