From Divided to United: The Paradoxical Effects of Mobilizing Structural Network

• In Event: Rural Politics in South Asia

Abstract

Most existing theories of social movement coalitions assume some form of commonness to be necessary for coalition formation between movement actors. Moreover, studies show that when organizations within a movement are primarily concerned with distinct structural groups (e.g., race, class, caste), coalition formation is highly unlikely. Yet, coalitions between structurally divided organizations are not uncommon. To understand conditions that facilitate coalitions formation within structurally divided movements, I examine a difficult case, namely the Indian farmers’ movement, which has been historically divided along caste, class, and ideological lines. Although the movement was previously fragmented, in the recent past, two large, diverse coalitions have emerged. Drawing on extensive fieldwork (~ 200 interviews and ~20 participant observations) and secondary resources, I argue that organizations’ capacity to mobilize their structural networks has a paradoxical effect on collaboration within divided movements. Specifically, while a low capacity to mobilize structural networks may make it difficult for organizations to achieve their objectives, it allows for the movement environment to become open and creates incentives for organizations to collaborate, thereby enhancing the movement’s chance of success. This study sheds light on a collective action paradox inherent in divided movements: The strength of the collective movement weakens with the presence of powerful individual organizations. Organizations that mobilize at scale on their own can make divisions salient, thereby leading to a fragmented and weak movement. So, to make successful claims on the state, activists within divided movements must make a difficult choice of enhancing the power of the movement over their individual organizations.

Author

• RAJ KAMAL SINGH, New York University