Movimientos sociales

Significado y vigencia

Abstract

The article begins with a discussion on the significance of social movements, the way in which they differ from other forms of collective action, and the degree to which they are linked with social change. Identified with a progressive vision of history, they are thought to be in decline, as the linear historical development model is disappearing. Several movement manifestations are analyzed, ranging from traditional or historical movements –such as the working class movement– to culturalist, known as new social movements. Last, the most recent social movements associated with globalization are tackled; the so-called anti-globalization movements, and those having the marginal and excluded groups of the new century as their central proponents.