Lobina, Emanuele ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4774-0308, Popov, Vladimir, Driessen, Travis and Terhorst, Philipp (2010) Towards a longitudinal evaluation of policy networks and social movement outcome: social resistance to water privatisation in Cochabamba, Bolivia. In: 6th UK Social Networks Conference, 14-16 Apr 2010, Manchester, UK. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

Diani (1997) argues that the influence and impact of social movements are defined by “the solidity of the linkages within the movement sector as well as—more crucially—of the bonds among movement actors, the social milieu in which they operate, and cultural and political elites” (Diani, 1997: 129). The impact of a social movement can thus be assessed “in the light of changes in its components' relative centrality in various social networks. The broader the range of social capital ties emerging from a period of sustained mobilization, the greater the impact” (Diani, 1997: 129).

Building on Lobina et al. (forthcoming), we adapt Diani’s (1997) analytical framework to investigate the determinants of social movement outcome. The proposed paper looks at the relationship between changes in relative actor centrality and the outcome of an anti-water privatisation campaign in Cochabamba, Bolivia. More precisely, we assess the centrality of actors participating in the campaign and their links with the social milieu. Centrality is assessed by looking at the participation of campaign members in episodes characterised by the adoption of different mobilisation tactics. Links among campaign members are also analysed in terms of brokerage. The links between the campaign and the social milieu are assessed by looking at: a) the internal membership of actors participating in the campaign; b) the diversity of interests represented by campaign members; and, c) formal or informal ties with actors external to the campaign. Finally, the magnitude of mass mobilisation in different phases of the campaign is used as an indicator of the strength of links between the campaign and the social milieu. For the purposes of our paper, mass mobilisation is defined as the number of actors who decide to join campaign initiatives without belonging to any campaign member.

The Cochabamba campaign is atypical when compared to other anti-water privatisation campaigns in Latin America, as observed by Lobina et al. (forthcoming). In fact, it is characterised by the intensity of events in a short period of time, and by the disruptive nature of the tactics adopted. We test the validity of our analytical framework for application to five anti-water privatisation campaigns resulting in successful outcome (Brazil, Peru, Uruguay) and unsuccessful outcome (Chile, Colombia). We expect this exercise to contribute to strengthening operationalisation as well as the generality of our findings.

Item Type:	Conference or Conference Paper (Paper)
Additional Information:	[1] This paper was given at the 6th UK Social Networks Conference held at University of Manchester 14th – 16th April 2010. [2] The paper was also presented at Sunbelt XXX International Sunbelt Social Network Conference held in Riva del Garda Fiere Congressi Riva del Garda (TN), Italy 29 June - 4 July (see also - http://gala.gre.ac.uk/5295.
Uncontrolled Keywords:	collective action/social movements, policy networks, social capital, water privatization, Latin America, dynamic networks
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HM Sociology H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Business > Networks and Urban Systems Centre (NUSC) > Centre for Business Network Analysis (CBNA) Faculty of Business > Department of International Business & Economics Faculty of Business > Centre for Work and Employment Research (CREW) > Public Services International Research Unit (PSIRU)
Related URLs:	Organisation
Last Modified:	17 Mar 2019 17:00
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/5291

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