Social Networks Matter. But How?

Abstract

Identifies specific network mechanisms at the individual level and illustrates how different social networks affect recruitment and individual participation in different voluntary organizations and social movement organizations. Socialization functions of social networks create an initial disposition to participate; structural‐connection functions generate practical opportunities for involvement; decision‐shaping functions affect the ultimate decision to take part. Empirical evidence comes from members of two political organizations active in the solidarity movement and the environmental movement in Switzerland, the Bern Declaration and WWF.

The biographical impact of participation in social movement activities: beyond highly committed New Left activism

“…The effect may also be more "structural": attending a demonstration also allows for meeting other, politically engaged, people. So, just as joining a social movement can be explained, at least in part, by pre-existing social ties and interpersonal networks (McAdam and Paulsen 1993;Passy 2003), the very fact of participating puts people in contact with similarly minded individuals, therefore providing a reinforcinf mechanism stimulating the deepening of one's political beliefs. Exchanges and communications occurring during or in the aftermath of attending a demonstration would contribute to making the participant more politically aware and committed.…”

Discursive Arenas: Deliberation and the Constitution of Identity in Public Participation at a Local Level

“…These examples also illustrate the different functions that Passy (2003) argues are played by networks in prompting social movement participation. Networks among young people in a deprived area served the socialisation function, which Passy argues creates the initial disposition to participate, and also provided the structural-connection function by connecting the young people to opportunities to take part.…”

Veganism as a Cultural Movement: A Relational Approach

“…Many scholars have studied ties between prospective participants in social movements (Tilly, 1978;Snow et al, 1980) as well as social movements as networks themselves (Gerlach & Hine, 1970;Curtis & Zurcher, 1973), but current research has grown in both volume and topic. More recent network analyses of social movements link embeddedness in social networks to identity construction (Somers, 1992;Passy, 2003), identity salience (McAdam & Paulsen, 1993;Melucci, 1996;Passy, 2003), and higher intensity and commitment in participation (Passy, 2001(Passy, , 2003.…”

“…While traditional network analyses rely on sophisticated statistical methods, certain scholars are calling for more qualitative analyses of the inner workings of such social networks (McAdam, 2003;Passy, 2003). In doing so, researchers should strive to show how networks operate rather than simply showing that social ties and collective action are linked.…”