From Contestation to Collaboration: Exploring Social Movements and Civil Society Dynamics

Social movements and civil society organizations are often seen as vital indicators of a robust democracy, strengthening social cohesion through voluntary participation aimed at the common good. However, existing literature has predominantly addressed these dynamics in isolation (Della Porta, 2020), with one stream focusing on conflict and contestation while the other emphasizes cooperation and social capital.

This paper empirically examines the relationship between social movements and civil society participation, focusing on the Chilean case characterized by low social cohesion and a recent social outburst that has unprecedentedly elevated the prominence of social movements. By leveraging individual-level data from the Chilean Longitudinal Social Survey (ELSOC) from 2016 to 2021, alongside contextual data on the frequency of mobilizations (Observatorio de Conflictos database) and the number of civil society organizations (Centro de Políticas Públicas UC database) both at municipal level, the study explores the individual-level relationship between attitudes toward social movements and prosocial behaviors such as monetary donations and participation in civil society organizations, utilizing multilevel modeling approach.

The findings illuminate critical areas of intersection between civil society and social movements, particularly in a society with significant challenges related to social cohesion (low social and political trust; low participation in civil society). This research contributes to a more nuanced understanding of these dynamics by integrating conflict and cooperation perspectives. It highlights the potential for social movements to foster greater civic engagement and solidarity within a complex sociopolitical landscape.