the term originated around 1850 by German sociologist Lorenz von Stein,^[1] in its contemporary usage, commonly refers to collective action, involving an informal grouping of individuals and organizations focused on common political or social goals and manifesting a visible and recognizable force in the public arena.

A social movement is a major vehicle for ordinary people`s participation in public politics through a series of contentious performances, displays and campaigns by which ordinary people make collective claims on others. Charles Tilly ascribes social movements as having any of three major elements:

1. Campaigns: a sustained, organized public effort making collective claims on target authorities;
2. Social movement repertoire: employment of combinations from among the following forms of political action: creation of special-purpose associations and coalitions, public meetings, solemn processions, vigils, rallies, demonstrations, petition drives, statements to and in public media, and pamphleteering; and
3. Participants` concerted public representation displays worthiness, unity, numbers, and commitments on the part of themselves and/or their constituencies.^[2]

Sydney Tarrow distinguishes social movements from political parties and interest groups, describing a social movement as collective challenges [to elites, authorities, other groups or cultural codes] by people with common purposes and solidarity in sustained interactions with elites, opponents and authorities.^[3] (For more information, log onto to HIC-HLRN website: at www.hlrn.org.)