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SociologyClass 12Social Movements

Social Movements | Class 12 Sociology Notes

By ConceptScroll Team · Published on 17 July 2026 · 3 min read

Social Movements | Class 12 Sociology Notes

Social Movements – this guide gives you a concise, exam-ready overview of Social Movements from Class 12 Sociology, written by ConceptScroll editors and reviewed against the latest NCERT textbook.

Types of Social Movements

Social movements can be classified into three broad types based on their goals and scope: redemptive, reformist, and revolutionary.

Redemptive movements aim to transform individuals' personal consciousness and behavior. For example, Narayana Guru led the Ezhava community in Kerala to change social practices and uplift themselves.

Reformist movements seek gradual, incremental changes in social or political arrangements without overthrowing the system. The 1960s movement for the reorganisation of Indian states on linguistic lines and the Right to Information campaign are examples.

Revolutionary movements strive for radical transformation of social relations, often by overthrowing existing state power. The Bolshevik Revolution in Russia and the Naxalite movement in India, which challenges feudal landlords and state officials, are revolutionary.

Movements often contain elements of more than one type and may shift orientation over time. For instance, a movement may begin with revolutionary aims but become reformist as it institutionalizes. The perception and classification of movements can vary depending on perspective; for example, the 1857 uprising was seen as a mutiny by the British but as the First War of Independence by Indian nationalists.

The chapter also distinguishes 'old' social movements, primarily class-based and linked to political parties, from 'new' social movements that focus on quality-of-life issues like environment and identity, often transcending class boundaries. The Indian National Congress and Communist Party led old movements, while new movements include NGOs, women's groups, and environmental activists. Globalization has led to international alliances like the World Social Forum, combining old and new movements.

📊 Diagram: Figure 5: Party of China led the Chinese Revolution. Today some believe that 'old' class-based political action led by trade unions and workers' parties is on the decline. Others argued that in the affluent Wes

🔗 Connection: This section prepares for detailed discussion of specific social movements such as ecological, class-based, tribal, and women's movements.

Frequently asked questions

Which of the following is NOT an important right won through social movements as mentioned in the chapter?

The right to free university education for all

Assertion (A): Universal adult franchise means that every adult has the right to vote. Reason (R): Universal adult franchise was a radical departure from colonial rule where ordinary people had no say in governance.

A) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A

What was the main demand of the Chartism movement in 19th century England?

The Chartism movement demanded universal male suffrage, voting by ballot, and the right to stand for elections without owning property.

Explain how social movements can inspire other social movements, giving one example from the chapter.

Social movements inspire other movements by showing that change is possible and by providing ideas, strategies, and motivation. For example, the Indian national movement inspired the making of the Indian Constitution, which in turn facilitated further social changes and movements.

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