Class 12 Sociology - BIHAR
Social Movements
The chapter 'Social Movements' in Class 12 Sociology explores how collective action brings about social change in India. It examines the nature and types of social movements, distinguishing them from other forms of collective behavior like crowds or riots. Students will learn about peasant movements, the workers' movement, tribal movements, the dalit movement, the women's movement, and environmental movements like the Chipko movement. Understanding these movements is crucial for board exams as it highlights the active role of ordinary people in shaping democratic institutions, claiming rights, and challenging inequalities within Indian society.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Social Movement
A sustained, collective effort by a group of people to bring about or resist social, political, or economic change.
Social Change vs. Social Movement
While social change is an ongoing, natural process affecting society, a social movement is a deliberate, organized, and goal-oriented collective action aiming for specific changes.
Old Social Movements
Movements primarily centered around class-based conflicts, such as the peasant and working-class movements, focusing on economic redistribution and labor rights.
New Social Movements
Movements that emerged in the late 20th century, such as environmental, women's, and civil rights movements, focusing on identity, quality of life, and cultural values rather than just class.
Chipko Movement
A prominent forest conservation movement in India starting in the 1970s, where villagers hugged trees to prevent them from being logged.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) Class 12 Sociology exams, this chapter typically carries around 8 to 12 marks. Questions frequently include objective (multiple-choice) questions on specific movements like Chipko or Narmada Bachao Andolan, short-answer questions defining social movements, and long-answer descriptive questions explaining the causes and impacts of peasant, tribal, or women's movements in India.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a crowd and a social movement?
A crowd is a temporary, unorganized gathering of people with no specific goal, whereas a social movement is a well-organized, structured, and sustained effort by people working towards a common social or political goal.
Why are they called 'New Social Movements'?
They are called 'new' because, unlike traditional movements focused mainly on economic class and political power, these movements focus on quality of life, identity, environmental protection, and human rights.
What was the main objective of the Chipko Movement?
The main objective was to protect forests from commercial flogging and deforestation, led largely by rural women in the Himalayan region who hugged trees to prevent them from being cut down.
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