This thesis aimed to apply new social movement (NSM) theory on the ongoing yellow vests movement in France. These set of theories claim that collective action from the 1960’s onwards represents a...Show moreThis thesis aimed to apply new social movement (NSM) theory on the ongoing yellow vests movement in France. These set of theories claim that collective action from the 1960’s onwards represents a radical shift away from materialist-driven, class-based social movements of decades prior. NSM theory states that modern collective action focuses more on cultural and societal issues, highlights the decline in importance of class, particularly the working-class, as well as the considerable distance from existing political systems. However, the highly-charged and seemingly material-based yellow vests movement, with its muddled and messy message of systematic change represents a noticeable shift away from this theoretical paradigm. Thus, this thesis concluded that NSM theory is becoming increasingly inadequate in explaining this type of collective action.Show less
