5th ISA Forum of Sociology (6-11 July 2025)

In this session, we invite papers examining how social movements of any form emerged in particular social, historical, economic and political conditions. Though particular movements are often posited as outcomes of grievances transformed into demands, the goals, tactics, interests, social identities and structures take shape through their interactions and interdependences with other social groups and elites upon whom demands are made and protests are organised. Papers may address the success of otherwise of historical social movements, through addressing the contentious politics of movement dynamics as well as the social relations with the state and indeed other organisations. Collective action and identities can be understood in terms of resource mobilisation, whether such resources amount to access to social networks, materials for sustaining protest and political demands, or symbols to enhance social cohesion and solidarity. Papers may be on single cases, or comparison across cases over time.