How does protest length and scope influence its development and base of support?
Academics have found that organizations’ spatial and temporal modes of protest have varying effects on the movement’s depth and breadth. A study has shown that long-lasting, single-site protest activities like protest camps and site occupations deepen movements by giving opportunities for organizational growth and the emergence of group identities. On the other hand, brief, one-site events rarely have a transformative impact on the breadth and depth of a social movement. These events usually take place for a short time in specific places. There is no opportunity for participants to develop strong ties through chance meetings. Short, multi-site protest actions are particularly conducive to broadening a movement’s social base while lengthy, single-site protest actions are particularly conducive to movement development.
Understanding the generative power of protests will help activists plan and coordinate for social and political change more effectively. Additionally, scholars can gain new insights into the ways in which protests challenge existing power structures and create new opportunities for collective action.
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