De Belgische witte golf: Voorbij de sociologische bewegingstheorie?

Samenvatting

Belgium's White movement, which evolved in 1996 in reaction to the Dutroux child murder case, has defied many ideas central to social mobilization & movement theories. Based on a survey among 864 White March participants, interviews with 164 local White committee members, & analyses of national newspapers, the divergence of the White movement with conventional mass movements is examined, & the need for the movement to eventually comply with sociological "laws" is indicated. The atypically broad demographic profile of the White movement, its basis in emotion rather than specific political & social issues, & its lack of formal organization & networking are identified as main contradictions to movement theory. However, it is also shown how, as the initial spontaneous power of this new emotional movement dwindled, it could no longer thrive without formal organization & clearly labeled issues. Implications for movement members & sociological theory are discussed. 2 Tables, 62 References. Adapted from the source document.