Global anti-corporate struggle: a preliminary analysis

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Political Science
• Social Movements

Background:

• Recent global surge in anti-corporate protests.
• Need for a structured analysis of protest phenomena.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a preliminary analysis of the social structure of anti-corporate protests.
• To explore the factors contributing to the emergence of these protest movements.
• To establish a framework for future research on protest dynamics.

Main Methods:

• Conceptualizing protest as a social field, drawing on Pierre Bourdieu's theories.
• Employing a 'value-added' model to analyze contributing factors.
• Examining the interplay of strains, situational definitions, focal events, opportunities, and resource circulation.

Main Results:

• Anti-corporate protests can be understood as a distinct social field.
• A multi-factor model effectively explains the emergence of these protest movements.
• Identified key elements influencing the development and spread of protest.

Conclusions:

• The study offers a foundational framework for understanding contemporary anti-corporate activism.
• The proposed model highlights the complex interplay of social, political, and resource-based factors.
• Encourages further in-depth research into specific aspects of protest movements.