Diverse social movement coalitions: Prospects and challenges

Abstract

Coalitions are among the most important tactical tools available for social movements and civil resistance campaigns, as they enable the sharing of networks, resources, expertise, and information, while simultaneously projecting an image of power through unity and numbers. Though exceptionally challenging to build, diverse coalitions are viewed by many as particularly important. However, there is considerably less literature that explicitly discusses them. In this article, I review the literature on diverse coalitions, with a focus on both their theorized and documented importance for social movements and civil resistance campaigns, and the challenges they face (including the factors working against their formation and sustainability). To do so, I bring two closely related but often separate literatures into conversation: social movements and civil resistance. I conclude by evaluating the state of this research area, highlighting remaining gaps, and suggesting directions for future research.

Coalition‐building and the forging of solidarity across difference and inequality

“…While any difference can lead to misunderstandings and tension, embedded identities (e.g., race, class, nationality), as Bandy and Smith (2005b, p. 239) argue, can be the hardest for coalitions to address, as "they can inform or be displaced onto other differences over power, organization, or strategy, making them difficult to comprehend and resolve." 2 of 14 -GAWERC Notwithstanding the potential inherent in diverse alliances, along with the challenges associated with them, there has been relatively little research centered on how coalitions accomplish working across divides (Gawerc, 2020;Dixon et al, 2013). Actually, most of the rapidly growing body of literature on social movement coalitions focuses on the facilitators of coalitions such as threats, political opportunities, prior social ties, ideological compatibility, and resources (Brooker & Meyer, 2019;McCammon & Moon, 2015;Van Dyke & Amos, 2016; Van Dyke & McCammon, 2010) but not how "people from a variety of identity categories have actually engaged in real-life political struggle and resistance" (Ackelsberg, 1996, p. 97).…”

“…Diverse coalitions hold the potential for significant benefits for social movements as Brooker and Meyer (2019) had suggested, particularly if they can overcome the challenges posed by difference and inequality (see Gawerc, 2020). Indeed, diverse alliances may make a larger and broader‐based mobilization possible due to their varied networks (Almeida, 2008), which can heighten visibility for their cause (Brooker & Meyer, 2019), confer additional legitimacy (Dixon et al., 2013), and intensify pressure on the target (Lee, 2011).…”

“…While coalition building is always difficult, it is particularly so for alliances that work across divides (Gawerc, 2020; Beamish & Luebbers, 2009; Staggenborg, 2015a). Difference poses difficulties when it comes to forging a common agenda, tactical agreement, and a shared framing strategy, given that peoples' positions (i.e., where they are socially situated in terms of nationality, race/ethnicity, class, etc.)…”

“…Notwithstanding the potential inherent in diverse alliances, along with the challenges associated with them, there has been relatively little research centered on how coalitions accomplish working across divides (Gawerc, 2020; Dixon et al., 2013). Actually, most of the rapidly growing body of literature on social movement coalitions focuses on the facilitators of coalitions such as threats, political opportunities, prior social ties, ideological compatibility, and resources (Brooker & Meyer, 2019; McCammon & Moon, 2015; Van Dyke & Amos, 2016; Van Dyke & McCammon, 2010) but not how “people from a variety of identity categories have actually engaged in real‐life political struggle and resistance” (Ackelsberg, 1996, p. 97).…”

Are social movements truly social? The prosocial and antisocial outcomes of social movements

“…At the meso level, social movements mobilizing at a local level can bring together social groups who were previously divided along lines of age, race, nationality, social class, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, political identity, and other social differences (see also Gawerc, 2020). Specifically, scholars have shown that the work of social movements at the local level has brought together disparate social groups including working‐class African‐American activists and more privileged white activists (Beamish & Luebbers, 2009; Snarr, 2009); U.S. citizens and undocumented immigrants (Enriquez, 2014; Yukich, Fulton, & Wood, 2019); straight people and LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer) people (Coley, 2014, 2020; Ghaziani, 2011); and Christians, Jews, Muslims, and other people of faith (Braunstein, Fulton, & Wood, 2014).…”