Movimientos sociales

Enfoques recientes y perspectivas

Abstract

This essay presents a critical overview of the state of the art of the principal approaches to and assumptions in the analysis of social movements in contemporary societies. Different analytical traditions in social theory are examined and emphasis is placed on tho use authors and perspectives which permit a better understanding and explanation of different forms of collective action. Some of the problems which such perspectives present are discussed and the most significant criticisms to which they have been subjected are indicated in order to, finally, reflect on the limits and possibilities of application of such theories in the analysis of these phenomena.