IV ISA Forum of Sociology (February 23-28, 2021)

JS-32

Young People, Collective Action and Participation: Diffusion and Innovation

Abstract Submissions Closed

RC48 Social Movements, Collective Actions and Social Change (host committee)
RC10 Participation, Organizational Democracy and Self-Management
RC34 Sociology of Youth

Language: English

Session Type: Oral

In social and cultural studies the concept of “diffusion" refers to the spread of cultural beliefs and social activities from one site to another. In social movement studies, the same concept is widely used to describe forms of “political imitation” which entails processes of learning, adaptation, and innovation of practices and ideas between social movements developing in different socio-spatial contexts. 

The session wishes to apply the concept of diffusion to the analysis of forms of “political contagion” driven by young people and emerging from/in a variety of initiatives of youth participation.

In particular, the session aspires to analyze issues such as: 

1. young people’s role in the diffusion of topics, modes, and practices of participation across the globe;
2. transnational processes of imitation, learning, adaptation and innovation in initiatives of youth participation; 
3.   challenges and opportunities in diffusion of topics and practices of youth political participation from one site to another; 
4. relevant actors,  experiences, contexts and spaces in dynamics of diffusion of youth participatory practices. 

The session welcomes both theoretical and empirical contributions applying a wide range of methodological approaches.