Using Social Movement Theory To Study Outcomes in Sport-Related Social Movements

Abstract

In this study, we systematically examine the relevance of five bodies of social movement theory to the outcomes of two sport-related social movements — struggles over funding of sport facilities and struggles over Native American mascots. Thirty-eight themes were culled from the five bodies of social movement theory and explored via 83 semi-structured interviews with social movement and countermovement actors from 20 different sites in the United States. Surprisingly, we found only eight of the 38 themes that we studied are pivotal to the outcomes of both social movements. The analysis also reveals that no single theoretical approach adequately explains the outcomes of both movements. Parts of Resource Mobilization theory are useful, while Political Process and Cultural theories offer the most explanatory power. We find that a few internal aspects of social movement groups interact with some cultural and structural forces external to these groups to shape social movement outcomes. Sport sociologists are urged to continue the systematic study of social movement theory, but to move beyond the limitations of this study to focus on other social movements, geographical locations, and aspects of social movements.

The founding principles of Sport for Development programmes in Zimbabwe and challenges impeding effective programme implementation

“…On one (negative) hand sport is known to possess the potential to divide people and nations by promoting such ills as corruption, discrimination, drug abuse, nationalism, racism and violence [4,5,6,7] . On the other (positive) hand sport is strongly believed to serve as a vehicle for advancing positive social change [5,7,8,9,10] through the promotion of values such as democracy, justice and human rights [11,12] . Many authorities believe sport has the potential to resolve social problems including deficiencies in education, the spread of diseases, poverty, inter-ethnic conflict, and gender imbalances [5,6,10,12,13] .…”

Football Fandom, Mobilization and Herbert Blumer: A Social Movement Analysis of F.C. United of Manchester

“…Some, such as Crossley (2002: 168-191), have tried to bring these theories -including Blumer's -together but this task has proved to be difficult given that social movement theories derive from differing epistemological and methodological positions and therefore lend themselves to different questions that can be asked of mobilizations (Chesters and Welsh 2011: 3;Jasper 1997). Further, a hugely ambitious study by Davies-Delano and Crosset (2008) tried to 'systematically examine the relevance of five bodies of social movement theory to the outcomes of two sport-related social movements' (p115) but struggled to genuinely meet this aim in the context of a single journal article.…”

A qualitative case study examination of athlete ally using social movement theory.

“…This study is distinguished from previous studies as it focused on a sport specific SMO, instead of a sport event or temporary sport league. From a social movement perspective, this study answered the call from Davis-Delano and Crosset (2008) who encouraged social movement research in sport to "serve social movements that they value by doing research that may help the activists to understand how their movements succeed and fail" (p. 131). Finally, the study may offer insight into a prominent SMO's use of resources, political context, and frames.…”

“…Resource Mobilization Theory (RMT), Political Process Theory (PPT), and Cultural Theory/Frame Analysis. While Davis-Delano and Crosset (2008) noted two additional theoretical tenets of SMT, Collective Behavior Theory and New Social Movement Theory, their findings revealed RMT, PPT, and Cultural Theory/Frame Analysis were present in sport specific social movements. The three theoretical tenets of SMT (i.e., RMT, PPT, and Cultural Theory/Frame Analysis) provide a holistic lens to view a social movement theory and its components.…”

“…Social Movement Theory's application to sport and social movements has been limited (Benford, 2007;Davis-Delano & Crosset, 2008;Harvey, Horne, & Safai, 2009;McDonogh, 2011;Schwirian, Curry, & Woldoff, 2001; Wilson et al, 2015). Only three known sport-based studies have utilized RMT, PPT, and Cultural Theory/Frame Analysis (Davis-Delano & Crosset, 2008;McDonogh, 2011;Wilson et al, 2015). This study is distinguished from previous studies as it focused on a sport specific SMO, instead of a sport event or temporary sport league.…”