Anthropology of social movements A cultural turn

Abstract

Contemporary anthropology is interested in examining the relationship between politics and culture. Anthropology of social movements tackles the movement’s internal culture, as manifested in certain phenomena such as collective identity, framing, symbols, public discourse, narratives, and rhetoric. However it concentrates on how culture is embodied in individuals and groups, and this was a result of a shift occurred in social movements from class, race and classical political issues, to cultural base. Culture is manifested in the emergence and formation of a social movement and its practices and activities. The role of cultural dimension is obvious in stages as formation of habitus and collective identity, and it is present in the real development of stage as framing interests and grievances, and molding ideals. And finally, cultural dimension is manifested in forms o leadership, and types of mobilization. Culture is not only a dimension stings along with social movement’s emergence, however it permeates and penetrates movement’s conflicts and struggles. Culture is considered a useful resource, and sometimes a collective trait hinders mobilization. The activities of participants is formed by cultural conditions, and the movement molds an internal culture, and affects public discourse, and brings changes to society. Social movements are not only molded by culture, they mold culture too. Therefore the present study focuses on investigating: (1) the anthropological study of social movements: the cultural turn. (2) the anthropological approach to old and new social movements. (3) the traits of anthropological perspective. (4) the influences and embodiments of culture in social movements. (5) the future of the anthropology of social movements and Arabian anthropology of social movements