Zeitgeist and Social Movements

Zeitgeist and social movements refers to the relationship between the prevailing cultural mood of an era and the emergence, framing, and diffusion of collective action, in which movements both respond to and help to shape the spirit of their time. Neil Smelser's value-added theory identified structural strain and generalized beliefs as conditions for collective behavior, and Doug McAdam's concept of cognitive liberation described the shift in consciousness that makes challenge seem possible. David Snow and Robert Benford showed that movements succeed when their frames resonate with prevailing cultural understandings, and William Gamson analyzed collective action frames and media discourse. Sidney Tarrow's cycles of protest explained how waves of contention spread in particular periods, and Charles Tilly emphasized repertoires available at specific times. Alberto Melucci and Alain Touraine linked new social movements to postindustrial cultural change, and Ronald Inglehart connected postmaterialist values to environmental and rights activism. Francesca Polletta studied the cultural power of storytelling in movements. Karl Mannheim's work on generations helps explain youth mobilization. Critics note that cultural climate alone cannot explain mobilization without organization and opportunity. Zeitgeist and social movements remains central to research on protest, framing, identity, and social change.