Beyond resources and politics: Understanding the heart of social movements! This article examines the role of collective identity in shaping the emergence, trajectories, and impacts of social movements, exploring how collective identity accounts for the claims on behalf of which people mobilize and why individuals engage in collective action. The research treats collective identity as an alternative to structurally given interests, questioning instrumental rationality and institutional reforms in assessing movement outcomes. The article critically evaluates the broad and narrow applications of collective identity, emphasizing its function as a residual category within structuralist and rationalist frameworks. The study has implications for understanding how movements impact both internal and external structures. This review provides valuable insights for sociologists and political scientists, contributing to a deeper understanding of the dynamics of social change and the interplay between identity, agency, and social structures.
As a contribution to the Annual Review of Sociology, this article is well-positioned within the journal's scope. By examining the role of collective identity in social movements, the review provides a comprehensive overview of a key concept in sociological theory. Its critical assessment of existing approaches aligns with the journal's commitment to advancing sociological knowledge and debate.