10.3c4 Political Process Theory

Relative deprivation and access to resources are insufficient to explain how movements arise and succeed. The political process theory suggests that a social movement in a more favorable political context can better mobilize feelings of relative deprivation (or motivation) and resources (Staggenborg, 2016; DeFronzo & Gill, 2020). Many social movements flourish in the United States because key elements of social movement success are enshrined in the Constitution (right to assemble, freedom of speech). Even nations with authoritarian governments, like China, tolerate some forms of social movement organizing depending on the tactics and targets. For example, the Chinese government tolerates social movements related to environmental issues because the target of these movements is usually not the government (Lin, 2023).