The limits of rational choice in the sociology of social movements : the 20 February movement and the Rif movement in Morocco

Author

al-Nuaymi, Muhammad

Source

AlMuntaqa

Issue

Vol. 3, Issue 1 (30 Jun. 2020), pp.51-69, 19 p.

Publisher

Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies

Publication Date

2020-06-30

Country of Publication

Qatar

No. of Pages

19

Main Subjects

Political Sciences

Abstract EN

This study critically assesses rational choice theory in the sociology of social movements using Moroccan protest movements as a case study.

It also shows how social movement studies evolved from social psychology to rational choice theory, which supposes that individuals decide whether to participate in any social movement by calculating costs and benefits.

By studying the movements of unemployed graduates in Morocco, the paper demonstrates that, despite the theory’s ability to interpret some aspects of social movements, it falls short when it comes to explaining symbolically motivated movements.

These movements stress self-assertion and immaterial values such as freedom and dignity, as in the case of the 20 February and the Rif movements.

As an alternative this study proposes to extend the boundaries of this theory to include the cognitive field through the application of axiological rationality instead of rational choice theory.

American Psychological Association (APA)

al-Nuaymi, Muhammad. 2020. The limits of rational choice in the sociology of social movements : the 20 February movement and the Rif movement in Morocco. AlMuntaqa،Vol. 3, no. 1, pp.51-69.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1403299

Modern Language Association (MLA)

al-Nuaymi, Muhammad. The limits of rational choice in the sociology of social movements : the 20 February movement and the Rif movement in Morocco. AlMuntaqa Vol. 3, no. 1 (May. / Jun. 2020), pp.51-69.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1403299

American Medical Association (AMA)

al-Nuaymi, Muhammad. The limits of rational choice in the sociology of social movements : the 20 February movement and the Rif movement in Morocco. AlMuntaqa. 2020. Vol. 3, no. 1, pp.51-69.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1403299

Data Type

Journal Articles

Language

English

Notes

Record ID

BIM-1403299