Towards an Understanding of Social Movements

The question is "How to understand the structuring of social movements in general & altermondialism in particular?". Detailing his previous research & his distancing from the classical sociology of conflict, the author dwells on the necessity of creating heuristic models making for an explanation of the tense relations between rationalization & self affirmation. These models, distancing themselves from their "mobilisation of resources" counterparts, should help fathom how culture is the key to a redefinition of politics & economics. They imply too analysis of the conditions favoring the emergence of collective action & the communicatory flow concerned, thus fostering a deeper understanding of the importance of self affirmation & culture in the building up of altermondialism. References. Adapted from the source document.