APComp Unit 3 Political Culture and Participation Social Movements and Their Impact

What This Means

Social movements are groups of people who come together to push for change in their society, often in response to a perceived injustice or inequality. These movements can be peaceful or violent, and they can have a significant impact on how a country is governed. For example, the women's suffrage movement in the UK, which began in the late 19th century, ultimately led to the passage of the Representation of the People Act in 1918, granting women the right to vote.

Key Terms & Concepts

• Social Movement: A group of people working together to bring about change in society.
  • Example: The civil rights movement in the US, which led to the passage of the Civil Rights Act in 1964.
• Protest: A public demonstration or gathering to express discontent or opposition to a particular policy or issue.
  • Example: The student-led protests in Mexico in 1968, which were violently suppressed by the government.
• Civil Disobedience: The act of deliberately breaking a law or rule in order to draw attention to a particular issue or cause.
  • Example: The Indian independence movement, led by Mahatma Gandhi, which used civil disobedience to challenge British rule.
• Legitimacy: The acceptance of a government or institution by its citizens, often based on its ability to provide stability and security.
  • Example: In Nigeria, the legitimacy of the government has been challenged by various social movements, including the Boko Haram insurgency.
• Authoritarianism: A system of government in which the ruler or ruling party has complete control over the population and suppresses opposition.
  • Example: In Iran, the government has been criticized for its authoritarian tendencies, including the suppression of dissent and opposition.
• Participatory Democracy: A system of government in which citizens are actively involved in the decision-making process.
  • Example: In China, the Communist Party has implemented various participatory democracy initiatives, including village elections and citizen consultations.
• Electoral Threshold: The minimum percentage of votes required for a party or candidate to win seats in a legislative body.
  • Example: In Russia, the electoral threshold is 5%, which has led to the exclusion of smaller parties from the Duma.
• Single-Party System: A system in which only one party is allowed to participate in the government.
  • Example: In China, the Communist Party has maintained a single-party system since the founding of the People's Republic in 1949.
• Multi-Party System: A system in which multiple parties are allowed to participate in the government.
  • Example: In the UK, the multi-party system has led to the formation of coalition governments, such as the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition in 2010.
• Veto Power: The ability of a single individual or group to block a decision or policy.
  • Example: In the US, the President has veto power over legislation passed by Congress.
• Federalism: A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and smaller regional units.
  • Example: In Germany, federalism has led to a system in which the federal government shares power with the states (Länder).

How This Works in Practice

• In the UK, a vote of no confidence can force a prime minister to resign, as happened in 1979 when James Callaghan lost a confidence vote.
• In Mexico, the government has implemented various social programs to address poverty and inequality, including the Oportunidades program, which provides cash transfers to poor families.
• In Nigeria, the government has faced challenges in addressing the Boko Haram insurgency, which has led to the displacement of millions of people.
• In Russia, the government has implemented various measures to suppress dissent and opposition, including the use of propaganda and censorship.
• In Iran, the government has been criticized for its human rights record, including the use of torture and arbitrary detention.

Common Misunderstandings

• Misunderstanding: Social movements are always peaceful and non-violent.
• Correction: Social movements can be peaceful or violent, and often use a combination of tactics to achieve their goals. For example, the civil rights movement in the US used both peaceful protests and violent acts, such as the Freedom Rides.
• Misunderstanding: Authoritarianism is always the same as dictatorship.
• Correction: Authoritarianism is a broader concept that includes not only dictatorship but also other forms of government in which the ruler or ruling party has complete control over the population. For example, China's Communist Party has implemented various authoritarian measures, including censorship and surveillance, but it is not a dictatorship in the classical sense.
• Misunderstanding: Participatory democracy is always the same as direct democracy.
• Correction: Participatory democracy is a broader concept that includes not only direct democracy but also other forms of citizen participation, such as representative democracy and deliberative democracy. For example, China's village elections are a form of participatory democracy, but they are not direct democracy.

Quick Comparison Table

Last-Minute Exam Cram

• ⚠️ A social movement is not the same as a protest – a social movement is a broader concept that includes a range of activities and tactics.
• The electoral threshold in Russia is 5%, which has led to the exclusion of smaller parties from the Duma.
• Participatory democracy is a system of government in which citizens are actively involved in the decision-making process.
• Authoritarianism is a system of government in which the ruler or ruling party has complete control over the population and suppresses opposition.
• Federalism is a system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and smaller regional units.
• The veto power in the US is held by the President, who can block legislation passed by Congress.
• A single-party system is a system in which only one party is allowed to participate in the government.
• A multi-party system is a system in which multiple parties are allowed to participate in the government.
• Social movements can be peaceful or violent, and often use a combination of tactics to achieve their goals.
• Legitimacy is the acceptance of a government or institution by its citizens, often based on its ability to provide stability and security.
• Civil disobedience is the act of deliberately breaking a law or rule in order to draw attention to a particular issue or cause.