Blog Post 2

Chapter 1 of our text gives us a list of six characteristics that define social movements. First, a social movement has to be at least minimally organized. This means that in order for something to become a social movement it has to have at least a small organized group of people. Social movements are uninstitutionalized collectivities. This means that no part of any social movement can be a part of any established order that changes social, political, religious, or economic norms and values. In order to become a social movement, there must be large terms of geographical area, life span, events, and participants. Social movements must be able to affectively change both norms and values. A social movement must assume the powers to distinguish right from wrong because it constitutes an ethical and moral obligation. Social movements may attempt to satisfy their six essential requirements through bargaining, coercion, and persuasion.

The Occupy Wall Street movement is a social movement that encompasses the six characteristics that define social movements. Occupy Wall Street has an organized group of protestors that take up a large group of our nation and are able to get their message across by persuading others to believe in their movement. The Occupy Wall Street movement follows the basic ethics and morals of Americans and are not part of any established orders.