Origins and Evolution of a Social Movement Strategy

Abstract

To what extent, and how, do social movement strategies change over time? Why are particular strategic options selected by social movement organizations? A wide range of theories bearing on these questions are used to analyze the birth and evolution of the rent strike as used within the tenant movement in New York City. The emergence and diffusion of six key groups of innovations over a 76-year period are examined. The analysis considers the origins of the strategy, the extent of change in it over time, how and why innovations occurred, and how and to what extent they were diffused through the multitude of organizations making up the movement. It also examines the extent, consistency of, and reasons for patterns in variations in the use of strategic forms among the constituent organizations of the movement, the impact of both housing and politics of the various innovations, and the ultimate institutionalization of the strategy.