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Yang, G. (2016). The Commercialization and Digitization of Social Movement Society. Contemporary Sociology: A journal of reviews. 45 (2): 120–125.

Learning Objective: LO 18-2: Describe key sources of social change in society

Summary: Yang argues that the United States has shifted from popular political radicalism in the 1960s into a “social movement society.” More importantly, this shift can be characterized by a commercialization of social movements and a rise in activism through online venues and media.

Questions to Consider:

1. What are “hybrid” protest events? How did these forms of social movement differ from methods deployed by disadvantaged groups?
2. According to Yang, how have social movement been commercialized? Evaluate the evidence presented. Do you agree or disagree with Yang’s assessment?
3. What is cyber-activism or online activism? What were the original goals of these social movements? How have the goals and activities included as the digitization of social movements changed since advent of activism in the 1980s?