During the second class of "Actor Publics and Social Movements," we discussed examples of movements across different political systems: the Pink Dot Movement in Singapore, the well-known case of Arab Spring—which inspired various global offshoots in China and Indignados in Spain—which further inspired the Occupy Wall Street movement in New York City and around the world.

Many questions were solicited throughout the class time: is Jehovah's Witness an example of a redemptive social movement? The cost of what (food) commodity is often tied to social unrest throughout history? Why do epidemics and protest go hand-in-hand since the time of the Peasant Revolts during the Bubonic Plague? Why do movements today tend to consist of the middle class and not the lower class? Are today's movements based more on class struggle (i.e. labor unions) or on ideology (i.e. environmental protection)?

Empathy, civic responsibility, and socializing were noted by students as their primary motivation behind showing up on the streets. They selected the movements that they plan to focus on for the final defense: from the Umbrella Revolution in Hong Kong to the People Power Movement in the Philippines and the Free Tibet movement around the globe.

Join us next Thursday, on May 1st at 20:30, for a discussion about the repertoires behind movements!