Throughout history there have been movements formed that push an agenda. Sometimes these movements become the dominant localised way of thought and action.
Although society is conforming to similar ideologies due to increasing global interconnectedness, there exists latent possibility to build disciples for a cause. Movements can spring up anywhere, although it is more difficult to form movements counter to existing values in developed countries where there is a strong rule of law.
A strong leadership or group philosophy is generally required to form a movement. It is much more powerful to have a sizable dedicated following than for an individual to go it alone, case in point being WikiLeaks. In the case where there is a leader, there are some traits which can be advantageous. A firm leader with clear cut viewpoints and strong beliefs will likely bring more followers as such a leader generates polarising opinion where some people will love them and others hate them. A leader is best suited to use emotion to convince people and persuade them of their message. Almost all behaviour and action can be normalised and almost all humans can be convinced to do something against their wishes.
Popularising a movement or ideology requires some form of devotion. Usually this starts with a small group of followers and then grows to become an army of people who are willing to live for a higher cause and willing to sacrifice their lives. Sometimes movements perpetuate an us versus them mentality. Movements are difficult to scale to a stage where they have significant impact, for example Anonymous, Sea Shepherd, Falun Gong, WikiLeaks are all of insufficient size to make an impact.
There are a myriad types of movements, with varying degrees of difficulty to form:
Although society is conforming to similar ideologies due to increasing global interconnectedness, there exists latent possibility to build disciples for a cause. Movements can spring up anywhere, although it is more difficult to form movements counter to existing values in developed countries where there is a strong rule of law.
A strong leadership or group philosophy is generally required to form a movement. It is much more powerful to have a sizable dedicated following than for an individual to go it alone, case in point being WikiLeaks. In the case where there is a leader, there are some traits which can be advantageous. A firm leader with clear cut viewpoints and strong beliefs will likely bring more followers as such a leader generates polarising opinion where some people will love them and others hate them. A leader is best suited to use emotion to convince people and persuade them of their message. Almost all behaviour and action can be normalised and almost all humans can be convinced to do something against their wishes.
Popularising a movement or ideology requires some form of devotion. Usually this starts with a small group of followers and then grows to become an army of people who are willing to live for a higher cause and willing to sacrifice their lives. Sometimes movements perpetuate an us versus them mentality. Movements are difficult to scale to a stage where they have significant impact, for example Anonymous, Sea Shepherd, Falun Gong, WikiLeaks are all of insufficient size to make an impact.
There are a myriad types of movements, with varying degrees of difficulty to form:
- Countries with its own laws, although a country is geography limiting
- Remote tribes with their own versions of status, autonomy or government, bodies based on limited interaction with modern life
- Societies and organisations with a common interest free from constraint, in some cases underground (Somali pirates, mafia, armies)
- Movements based around a religion or a cult, where there may be no definable region (Islamic state)
- Movements based around a media following with strong support from the media (Nazis)
- Activist collective interest groups
- Companies and not for profits can also initiate or be part of a movement
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