A socio-legal analysis of collective identity construction in social movements

Resumen

This paper aims to analyze the processes of identity formation comprised within social movement actions. The theoretical approach to this topic contains a convergence of notions coming from Social Movement Studies, and from Political and Legal Studies.

Regarding social movement doctrine, we take certain notions from Action-Identity Theory. Based on those elements, we evaluate the requirements and limitations within processes of identity formation in social movements.

Regarding political and legal doctrines, we review the impact of the Theory of Populism (developed by Ernesto Laclau) on the study of social movements. Populism proposes an adequate framework of political and social inclusion to analyze those marginalized masses intending to re-organize, construct their own identity and mobilize.

Finally, we propose to reflect on an interesting issue: whether or not the generation of a collective identity is a crucial requirement for the emergence of a social movement.