Mass-Society Theory Proposed by William Kornhauser

Social movements are any broad social alliances of people who are concerned through their shared interest in blocking or affecting social change. According to Mass-society theory proposed by William Kornhauser, social movements are driven by individuals in large societies who feel insignificant and social detached. Adding to the theory, it provides a sense of empowerment and belonging that the social movement members are lacking (Kornhauser 1959). In other words, social movements are the ‘attempts by society to react crisis situations through development of shared beliefs on which to base new foundations for collective solidarity’ (Porta and Diani 2006: 7). Political party refers to an organized group of people who exercise their legal right to identify with a set of similar political aims and opinions and one that seek to influence public policy by getting its candidates elected to public office. It represents the ideas and beliefs held by a wider majority of people. The members in a political party roughly have the similar political aims and interests. In addition, they enable their members’ and supporters’ demands to be addressed in parliament and in government.

New social movements focus on social and cultural issues, rather than economic or political considerations. It ‘concentrates on bringing about social mobilization through cultural innovation, the development of new lifestyles, and the transformation of identities’ (Postill 2012). It also brings a sense of common purpose and shared commitment which enables single activist and/or organization to regard themselves as inextricably linked to each other, to enhance a broader mobilization (Porta and Diani 2006: 21). New social movements emphasise on the role of post-materia...

... middle of paper ...

... an introduction, Malden, MA: Blackwell

2. Kornhauser, W. (1959) ‘The Politics Of Mass Society’, New York: Free Press

3. Smelser, N. (1962) ‘THEORY OF COLLECTIVE BEHAVIOR’, New York: Free Press

4. Pollick, M. (2014 March 29). What is the Purpose of Political Parties? [Online]. (URL http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-the-purpose-of-political-parties.htm). (Assessed 18 April 2014)

5. Postill, J. (2012 February 28). NEW SOCIAL MOVEMENTS AND SOCIAL CHANGE. [Online]. (URL http://mediasocialchange.net/2012/02/28/new-social-movements-and-social-change/). (Assessed 18 April 2014)

6. The Electoral Knowledge Network (2012). Parties and Candidates. [Online]. (URL http://aceproject.org/ace-en/topics/pc/pca/pca01/pca01a). (Assessed 20 April 2014)

7. Total Politics (1770). QUOTES. [Online]. (URL http://www.totalpolitics.com/quotes/?tag=Edmund+Burke&count=10). (Assessed 21 April 2014)