The Rise and Fall of Public Opposition in Specific Social Movements

Bibliographic Data

ID7530561
AuthorsPeter J Leahy, Peter Leahy (corresponding author), A Mazur (0000-0003-0230-2195)
Year1980
Volume10
Issue3
Pages259-284
Publication date1980-08-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSocial Studies of Science (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0306-3127 • E-ISSN: 1460-3659
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/030631278001000301
PMID11610782
OpenAlexW2100272166
LanguageEN
Citations received10

This article reports a comparative study of four 'specific' social movements which involve aspects of technological controversy: Fluoridation, the ABM, Nuclear Power Plants, and Legalized Abortion. We suggest a theoretical model of the rise and fall of public opposition in these movements over time. Quantitative indicators are developed and applied to this historical model. Rise and fall of controversy follows a regular sequence: Activities of protest leaders increase during periods of great national concern over issues that are complementary to the movement; during these periods, social and economic resources are relatively available to the movement. As the activity of protest leaders increases, mass media coverage of their activities increases. As mass media coverage increases, opposition to the technology among the wider public increases. As the activity of the leaders wanes, mass media coverage declines, and so does opposition among the wider public. The paper concludes with a discussion of the relevance of this perspective for making predictions about the future course of 'specific' social movements

Economics · Mass media · Media coverage · Media studies · Opposition (politics · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Positive economics · Public opinion · Social movement · Sociology · Energy, Environment, Economic Growth · Innovation Diffusion and Forecasting · Law · Opinion Dynamics and Social Influence

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