The paradox of victory: social movement fields, adverse outcomes, and social movement success

Abstract Recent work on social movement fields has expanded our view of the dynamics movements; it should also expand thinking about success. Such a broader reveals paradox: movements often snatch defeat from jaws victory by narrowly targeting authorities with their actions instead field. Negative impacts wider field can then reverse or overshadow initial victories. We distinguish between movement’s over immediate target, and more lasting success that arises shifting alignments in To test predictive value distinction, we compare two very similar student-led movements, both which targeted university policies regarding sensitivity to race issues changes personnel. One built broad coalition support extended across its was thereby able institute durable change. The other did not, despite clear success, this protest produced consequences mainly adverse preferred outcomes. demonstrate how pervasive paradox is examples U.S. outcomes studies revolutions. resolved focusing entire thus argue achieving, understanding, requires attention