Movement ecology

Movement ecology is a way of seeing each component of a movement as entering into a relationship with the other groups and individuals that are part of it. It is an invitation to see different strategies than the ones we use as assets for our movement.

It is inevitable that movements will be made up of people and groups who...

• Have different views of where the problem lies
  
• Have different ideas for solutions
  
• Take different actions to bring about the change they want to see.
  

Faced with this observation, the ecology of movements proposes to be part of this whole in a way to value the different contributions to our struggles, particularly in what is related to the different tactics.

“We have to recognize the validity of different actions, identify niches and try to fill them...And collaborate as much as possible. Social change is not a competitive market - this approach is opposed to what is needed to initiate transformational level change. - Thinking, doing, changing

Indeed, social movements are made up of groups fulfilling a multitude of roles. Recognizing these roles, building bridges and finding ways to use each group's contribution to the benefit of a movement can be the key to success. The struggle against imperialism in India offers an interesting case study.

Some of the main approaches to activism/organizing include:

community organization (Structure-based organizing )

mass organization (Movement-based organizing )

the creation of alternatives (Prefigurative politics)

Some of the main 'roles' individual activist take on in organizing spaces, according to Bill Moyer  include:

• The helper/citizen: focuses on direct service. Doing what they can in their own circles to support a cause.
• The advocate/reformer: focuses on communication with people who hold the power to change a policy or practice.
• The organizer/change agent: focuses on collecting masses of people who may not know each other. They use the power of numbers to force change on people in power.
• The rebel: focuses on making a commotion to force people in power to make a change.

Ecosystem

When we say “making the ecosystem of a movement”, we are talking about painting a portrait of the different groups that militate alongside us as well as the role or roles they fulfill. In English, we use the expression movement mapping to refer to it. We draw a portrait of our militant community in order to better situate ourselves in it and realize the links that unite us. It is a question here of our reality on the ground, ecology being a broader concept encompassing the many militant communities.

We begin by drawing a portrait of our group and its resources. Then, we can include in this mapping of our activist ecosystem: the groups, our relationship with them, their approach/role and their resources as appropriate.

Deepa Iyer, Building Movement Project. SM, © 2020 Deepa Iyer. All rights reserved. All prior licenses revoked.