Recent feminist movements, such as Ni Una Menos, have been protesting Argentina’s gendered social structure since 2015, which has been challenged and evolved over the past 40 years through the...Show moreRecent feminist movements, such as Ni Una Menos, have been protesting Argentina’s gendered social structure since 2015, which has been challenged and evolved over the past 40 years through the actions of other social movements. As Argentina entered a new period of economic uncertainty in 2018, Ni Una Menos emerged as a key actor in opposing the government’s economic policies, seemingly drifting away from its original goal to advance women’s rights in the country. This thesis therefore analyses the movement’s motivations behind its involvement in protesting the current debt crisis in Argentina. It finds that economic crises undoubtedly impact women to a higher extent than men, explaining Ni Una Menos’ involvement. Furthermore, an analysis of the declaration of strike of March 8th, 2020, suggests that the movement might be motivated by a desire to increase its mobilisation base. By using the consequences of the economic crisis and the implications of the debt to foster critical consciousness in the Argentine population, it can increase protests and advocate for deeper structural change.Show less
The 21st century has seen a rise in (trans)national activism. What is unique about many social movements of the 21st century is that they have started to incorporate information and communication...Show moreThe 21st century has seen a rise in (trans)national activism. What is unique about many social movements of the 21st century is that they have started to incorporate information and communication technologies (ICTs) into the core of their fabric. Social media in particular has come to be recognized as an important tool for social movements. Whilst the research on the role of social media in social movements is increasing, it often remains unclear just how crucial social media is to social movement formation. Therefore, this thesis uses the case study of the Black Lives Matter movement, a movement well-known for its use of online-activism, to examine how crucial social media was to its emergence and coalescence. The research question this thesis seeks to answer is: To what extent has social media played a key role in the emergence and coalescence of the Black Lives Matter movement? The aim of this thesis is to understand to what degree social media has played a crucial role in relation to factors such as the socio-political environment, the mobilization structure, political opportunities, and cultural factors. In order to do so the case study is analyzed through a holistic framework, proving a comprehensive understanding of the role of social media in the Black Lives Matter movement in relation to the aformentioned factors.Show less
