Social movements as networks of communication episodes

Pilny, Andrew Nicholas

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/88146 Copy

Description

Title

Social movements as networks of communication episodes

Author(s)

Pilny, Andrew Nicholas

Issue Date

2015-06-23

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Poole, Marshall S.

Doctoral Committee Chair(s)

Poole, Marshall S.

Committee Member(s)

• Shumate, Michelle D.
• Lammers, John C.
• Diesner, Jana

Department of Study

Communication

Discipline

Communication

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Degree Level

Dissertation

Keyword(s)

• Social movements
• network analysis
• communication

Abstract

Social movements (SMs) are common, yet complex phenomenon of study, generating eclectic and even conflicting perspectives on what actually constitutes a SM. This notion points towards the need of an inclusive framework that attempts to talk with rather than past conflicting perspectives. The purpose of this dissertation is to develop a hybrid theoretical framework that incorporates three SM perspectives: (1) SMs as aggregates, (2) SMs as networks, and (3) SMs as symbolic interactions. I argue that a framework of SMs as networks communication episodes (CAMs) is one way to build a successful hybrid approach, arguing that SMs consist of relationships between and within actors and events. In order to put the CAM framework to use, I used multidimensional exponential random graph modeling (MERGM) to analyze four different SMS: (1) 1970s US Energy Policy Domain, (2) 1970s US Health Policy Domain, (3) 1980s Anti-Stalinist mobilization in Poland, and (4) 1980s US Labor Policy Domain. Multidimensional network simulation was used to determine which organizing patterns correlate to instrumental and expressive theories of collective action and MERGM was used to uncover the dominant multidimensional organizing patterns in the empirical data behind each SM. Results revealed that most collective action events were organized by single organizations across all four SMs and that the Polish SM was the only movement out of the four that contain positive estimates of parameters conducive to network theories of collective action. Based on these results, a working model of factors that are theorized to influence the CAM structure is proposed, along with an application to the Anti-Stalinist mobilization in Poland and anti-Three Mile Island nuclear power plant mobilization. Moreover, based on different patterns in the CAM framework, a typology of different modes of organizing for collective action is developed, challenging a recent and common perspective of collective action as either organized or un-organized.

Graduation Semester

2015-8

Type of Resource

text

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/88146

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2015 Andrew Pilny

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