Definition: Movement

An enduring constellation of individuals, social circles, organisations, means of communication, practices and institutions connected by sufficiently shared civilisa­tion elements, within which a shared or developing system of ideas and narrative are formed, interpreted, disseminated and reproduced, and within which a purpo­sive striving for social change may arise.

• Explanation. A movement need not itself form a single social circle or formal organisa­tion, nor need it have been purposively founded at an identifiable moment. It may arise gradually from enduring relationships organised around shared conceptions, tensions, goals or desired changes. Within an established movement, purposive political action may come to occupy an increasingly important place.
  The degree of organisation, coordination and leadership may vary greatly and change over time. Because participants do not fully share the same personal and circle civilisa­tions, different interpretations, tendencies and priorities may arise within a movement. This may lead to internal conflict, organisational separation or new movements.
  Sources, media, meetings, symbols, rituals, education, training, organisations and insti­tutions may jointly perform a civilising function within a movement. They may preserve and develop ideas, repeatedly expose participants to the same civilisation elements, and make transmission less dependent on individual initiators or founders.
  As a movement becomes socially recognisable, a name or designation generally emerges through which participants and outsiders can recognise it, identify with it or define themselves against it. When its civilisation elements are also internalised and institution­alised outside the movement, its civilising effect may spread through society and contrib­ute to changes in circle civilisations, institutions and power relations.