Social Movements and Civil Society: How emerging social conflicts challenge social science approaches

Abstract

This chapter is based upon the opening speech at the general conference of the European Sociological Association in Edinburgh in 2007. It discusses conceptions of civil society and social movements, pleading for a more interdisciplinary dialogue in addressing new conflicts. In particular, it stresses that new conflicts are characterized by a bridging of traditional social questions and new differential rights, the transnationalization of social movement organizational structures, the emergence of global issues and transnational institutions, as well as networks. It suggests that these new elements push for a re-examination of notions of social movements and citizenship.