distinction between "political" and "cultural" versions of new social movement theory
New Social Movement Theory (NSMT) is a theory that focuses on the study of social movements that emerged in the late 20th century, which are characterized by their focus on identity and culture rather than traditional political structures. There are two main interpretations of NSMT: the political version and the cultural version.
The political version of NSMT emphasizes the role of social movements in challenging and changing political structures and systems. It focuses on the political goals and strategies of social movements, such as advocating for policy changes or government reforms. This version of NSMT sees social movements as primarily motivated by political grievances and seeking to enact political change.
On the other hand, the cultural version of NSMT emphasizes the role of social movements in creating and shaping cultural identities and meanings. It focuses on the cultural values, symbols, and identities that social movements promote and embody. This version of NSMT sees social movements as more concerned with cultural and identity-based issues, such as gender equality, racial justice, or environmental sustainability.
Overall, the distinction between the political and cultural versions of NSMT lies in their emphasis on either political or cultural aspects of social movements. While the political version focuses on challenging political structures and enacting political change, the cultural version focuses on creating and shaping cultural identities and meanings.