Abeyance structures for an environmental social movement: The case of the US bases cleanup campaign in the Philippines

Issue Date

7-2014

Abstract

This paper re-examines the concept of abeyance structure, which revolves around the spillover of activists when social movement declines. It analyzes its various characteristics, dynamics and mechanisms. Using the case of the US bases cleanup campaign in the Philippines, four routes were defined, namely: (a) Return Route, where partners with stable affiliations prior to their involvement to the previous social movement are reabsorbed back to their home institutions; (b) Redirect Route, in which partners with prospects for membership in new networks or organizations capitalize on their enhanced experiences with the previous social movement in their new affiliations; (c) Renewal Route, where partners with strong investment on the renewal of the previous social movement remain in the spirit of the campaign, and (d) Reform Route, where partners with available resources are able to restructure their respective organizations apart from the previous campaign. This paper highlights the internal dynamics of an environmental social movement and the creation of these abeyance structures is tied to the availability of material, social and cultural resources to the partners. The least-resourced partners are absorbed by abeyance structures that can provide for their daily welfare, while well-resourced partners are able to create new opportunities and directions apart from the previous campaign.

Source or Periodical Title

Asia Life Sciences

ISSN

0117-3375

Page

649-661

Document Type

Conference Paper

Language

English

Subject

Abeyance structure, Environment, Philippines, Social movement

Digital Copy

yes

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