Movimentos Sociais

Summary

In this video, Professor Renata Esteves explores the complexities of social movements, focusing on their role in democracy and citizenship. She discusses the different types of movements—transformative vs. conservative, structural vs. conjunctural—and their intersection with issues of identity, class, and race. Using the 1988 Constitution as a guide, she emphasizes the importance of understanding the legitimacy of movements, such as the MTST's fight for housing rights. The video encourages a deep reflection on the role of social movements in achieving social and political change, while advocating for respectful and informed dialogue about controversial topics.

Takeaways

• 😀 Social movements are collective, organized actions aimed at societal changes or preservation, driven by specific causes or issues.
• 😀 Social movements can be categorized as transformative (seeking change) or conservative (seeking to maintain the status quo).
• 😀 Social movements can be structural (well-organized, with leadership) or conjunctural (spontaneous, linked to specific events or crises).
• 😀 Citizenship and political participation extend beyond voting, with social movements playing a crucial role in active participation and shaping society.
• 😀 Democracy thrives on conflict, with social movements contributing to the democratic process by promoting diverse interests and struggles.
• 😀 Traditional social movements (19th century) focused on class struggles (e.g., labor rights), while new social movements (20th century onwards) focus on identity and minority rights.
• 😀 New social movements, like feminism and LGBTQ+ movements, are centered on minority groups’ rights, though they can still intersect with class struggles.
• 😀 The legitimacy of social movements can be assessed using the 1988 Brazilian Constitution, which defines the rights of individuals and the role of property in society.
• 😀 Movements like the MTST (Homeless Workers' Movement) fight for the social right to housing, arguing that idle private properties should serve a social function.
• 😀 Media portrayal of social movements is often biased, focusing on criminalizing protesters without understanding the legal and constitutional basis for their actions.
• 😀 Criticizing social movements requires a deep understanding of their legal foundation and the context in which they operate, as well as recognizing the interests behind media narratives.

Q & A

What is the definition of a social movement, according to the video?

A social movement is a collective, organized effort aimed at bringing about change or maintaining the current societal structure. These movements can seek societal transformation or the preservation of societal norms.

What are the two main types of social movements discussed in the video?

The two main types of social movements are transformative social movements, which focus on societal changes, and conservative social movements, which aim to maintain the existing societal structures.

What are structural and conjunctural social movements?

Structural social movements are more organized, long-term, and have defined leadership, such as feminist or workers' movements. Conjunctural social movements are often spontaneous, emerging in response to specific social or economic issues, and can be short-lived, like the June protests against bus fare increases.

How does the concept of citizenship relate to social movements?

Citizenship involves active political participation beyond just voting. Social movements are an essential part of this participation, as they allow citizens to engage in society and advocate for their rights and interests, contributing to a functioning democracy.

What distinguishes traditional social movements from new social movements?

Traditional social movements, rooted in the 19th century, often focused on class struggles, particularly between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie. New social movements, emerging in the 20th century, focus on identity issues and the rights of minorities, such as feminist, black, and LGBTQ+ movements.

How does the class perspective factor into feminist movements?

Feminist movements can have a class-based focus, as different groups of women experience different kinds of oppression. For instance, liberal feminism tends to focus on issues affecting middle and upper-middle-class women, while other feminist movements may address intersectional concerns, such as race and class, highlighting the unique struggles faced by working-class and minority women.

What role does the 1988 Brazilian Constitution play in assessing the legitimacy of social movements?

The 1988 Constitution provides a legal framework for evaluating the legitimacy of social movements, especially in relation to political participation and civil rights. It emphasizes the right to protest and the importance of using private property for social purposes, which helps assess whether certain movements, like the MTST, are operating within legal boundaries.

What is the MTST, and why is it considered controversial?

The MTST (Homeless Workers' Movement) is a social movement advocating for the right to housing. It is controversial because its members often occupy private property to claim social rights to housing, which some view as illegal. However, according to the Constitution, private property must be used for social purposes, which some argue justifies the MTST's actions when properties are unoccupied.

What does the professor suggest about how social movements are often portrayed in the media?

The professor suggests that the media often portrays social movements, especially those that challenge powerful interests, negatively. For example, movements like the MTST may be labeled as criminal or disorderly without understanding the deeper causes or the legal framework guiding their actions.

Why is it important to carefully analyze social movements before forming opinions about them?

It's important to carefully analyze social movements because they are complex and often controversial. A rushed judgment may overlook legal, constitutional, or social contexts, especially if the media presents biased perspectives. A deeper understanding can help differentiate between legitimate actions and actions that may go against the law.