Towards ‘New Emotional Movements’? A Comparative Exploration into a Specific Movement Type

Bibliographic Data

ID6220189
AuthorsStefaan Walgrave (0000-0003-1814-1015, University of Antwerp, corresponding author), Joris Verhulst (University of Antwerp)
Year2006
Volume5
Issue3
Pages275-304
Publication date2006-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueSocial movement studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1474-2829 • E-ISSN: 1474-2837
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/14742830600991651
OpenAlexW1985225063
LanguageEN
Citations received31
References cited64

In this article we broaden the scope of earlier research that established a theoretical specificity for the Belgian ‘White March’ and ‘White Movement’, by comparing them to three similar movements and mobilizations that were also triggered by random violence. The comparisons suggest that we are dealing with a new type of social movement and mobilization, preliminarily referred to as ‘new emotional movements’. The three other cases under study are the ‘Snowdrop Campaign’ in the UK, the ‘Million Mom March’ in the US and the ‘Movement against Senseless Violence’ in the Netherlands. Four important features seem to characterize all cases: the central role of emotions and victimization in the mobilization and development of the movement; broad elite support; organizational weakness; and extensive media support. We distinguish two sub-types of new emotional movements: (1) an instrumental variant with clear-cut aims and demands; and (2) an identity variant with displays of solidarity and compassion as the main constitutive elements. In both cases the initiators lack prior organizational experience and the absence of mobilizing organizations is compensated for by mass media support. In the instrumental sub-type neither the victims nor their relatives take the initiative but lend support and give approval to amateur entrepreneurs. The main mobilizing emotion appears to be fear about the possibility of personal suffering, and this emotion is reflected in the formulation of clear-cut demands for the future prevention of similar events. This instrumentality results in elite support being considerably broad, yet partisan. In contrast, the victims themselves take the initiative in the identity variant, causing the movement to remain more or less without specific demands but ensuring a broad support that is not bounded by party lines

Aesthetics · Amateur · Elite · Mobilization · Movement (music · Political science · Politics · Social movement · Sociology · Solidarity · White (mutation · Electoral Systems and Political Participation · Labor Movements and Unions · Law · Populism, Right-Wing Movements · Psychology · Social Psychology

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