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Processes of Knowledge Production in Social Movements as Multi‐level Power Dynamics
Author(s) -
Esteves Ana Margarida
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
sociology compass
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 31
ISSN - 1751-9020
DOI - 10.1111/j.1751-9020.2008.00146.x
Subject(s) - dynamics (music) , power (physics) , production (economics) , movement (music) , inequality , sociology , knowledge production , social dynamics , epistemology , social movement , positive economics , social science , knowledge management , computer science , microeconomics , political science , economics , mathematics , mathematical analysis , pedagogy , philosophy , physics , quantum mechanics , politics , law , aesthetics
Most literature related to the study of processes of knowledge production within social movements neglects how power relations between participants rooted on structural inequalities shape such processes. It also underestimates how such inequalities and the very dynamics of movements intersect in the setting up of the ‘boundaries’ of ‘insidership’ and ‘outsidership’, as well as of the terms implicit in different forms of participation. This article makes a review of theoretical and methodological literature that is relevant to the study of processes of knowledge production within social movements. Based on that review, it proposes the concept of ‘multi‐level power dynamics’ as a tool for future research on the way in which such processes are shaped by power relations between movement members endowed with, or experiencing a differentiated access to different forms of knowledge, as well as with actors within the state and networks promoting the diffusion of ideas and strategies.