8.3.1. Reformist, Redemptive, Revolutionary

There are different kinds of social movements. They can be classified as: (i) redemptive or transformatory; (ii) reformist; and (iii) revolutionary.

Social movements can be grouped into three main types: redemptive, reformist, and revolutionary.

• Redemptive movements focus on changing individual behavior and consciousness, aiming to transform personal lives (e.g., the Ezhava community in Kerala changed social practices through the influence of Narayana Guru).
• Reformist movements strive to change certain aspects of society gradually and through established political processes (e.g., movements for language-based reorganization of Indian states).
• Revolutionary movements seek to make significant and fundamental changes in the social structure, often working toward capturing state power (e.g., the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia).

Think of redemptive movements like personal development workshops that help individuals change their mindset. Reformist movements resemble community organizations that push for local policy changes—like advocating for improved public transportation. Revolutionary movements are akin to dramatic shifts in society, similar to how major technological changes (like the internet) transform job markets and daily life.

A redemptive social movement aims to bring about a change in the personal consciousness and actions of its individual members. For instance, people in the Ezhava community in Kerala were led by Narayana Guru to change their social practices.

Redemptive social movements concentrate on altering the individual perspectives and behaviors of their members. These movements often emphasize personal transformation and spiritual renewal.

• The example of Narayana Guru illustrates this, as he led members of the Ezhava community toward altering certain social practices to promote equality and education.

Imagine a personal growth seminar focused on self-empowerment that encourages attendees to break free from limiting beliefs and adopt positive habits. Just like participants in such a seminar strive to evolve their personal lives, followers of a redemptive movement work to reshape their individual values and behaviors.

Reformist social movements strive to change the existing social and political arrangements through gradual, incremental steps. The 1960s movement for the reorganisation of Indian states on the basis of language and the recent Right to Information campaign are examples of reformist movements.

Reformist movements advocate for change within existing systems through careful and strategic approaches. They often seek to adjust laws, policies, or social norms rather than completely overthrowing them.

• Historical and contemporary movements, such as the reorganization of states based on linguistic demographics and the push for greater transparency through the Right to Information Act, are impactful examples of reformist efforts.

Think of reformist movements like trying to improve a slow-running organization rather than dissolving it altogether. For instance, if a school has outdated curricula, parents might advocate for gradual updates instead of calling for the entire school to be dissolved. This patient approach can lead to positive changes without causing chaos.

Revolutionary social movements attempt to radically transform social relations, often by capturing state power. The Bolshevik revolution in Russia that deposed the Tsar to create a communist state and the Naxalite movement in India that seeks to remove oppressive landlords and state officials can be described as revolutionary movements.

Revolutionary movements aim for significant, often radical changes in society, usually involving a complete overhaul of political and social systems. By seeking to overthrow existing powers or methods of governance, they attempt to construct new societal orders.

• The Bolshevik Revolution and the Naxalite movement serve as prominent examples because they sought to disrupt deeply entrenched power structures and establish new forms of governance.

Revolutionary movements can be likened to a company completely changing its business model instead of just improving its products. For instance, when a traditional bookstore pivots entirely to a digital platform and restructures its operations, it reflects the kind of foundational change encompassed by revolutionary social movements.

Most movements have a mix of redemptive, reformist and revolutionary elements. Or the orientation of a social movement may shift over time such that it starts off with, say, revolutionary objectives and becomes reformist.

It's common for social movements to embody elements from different types and to evolve over time. A movement may begin with radical goals but gradually adopt a more reform-focused approach as it matures. This adaptability signifies that movements often reassess their strategies based on sociopolitical contexts and the responses from authorities or society.

• Social scientists often categorize movements based on their dominant characteristics, but fluidity is a key aspect.

Consider a grassroots organization petitioning for immediate policy changes (revolutionary), but as they gain recognition and leverage, they find it more effective to work within the system to promote gradual legislation changes (reformist). This is akin to a sports team that starts off with a fierce, aggressive game plan but learns to adapt and refine their strategy as they assess their competition.

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