Adherents and constituents

Abstract

Chapter 2 develops a new definition, based on motivations rather than expected outcomes, renaming the conscience constituent as the adherent. An adherent puts resources into the movement in order that others, of whom she is not one, will benefit directly from the movement’s success. The adherent is contrasted with the constituent, who puts resources into the movement in order that she herself, or others of whom she is one, will benefit. The use of adherents depends on two features of a social movement’s activity. The first feature is orientation: the nature of the work that a social movement (or a group within it) is doing. There are four orientations: outward (pursuing interests); expressive (expressing identities); empowerment (empowering activists); and solidarity (increasing the movement’s cohesion). The second feature is ambition, which concerns the extent of the change the movement seeks and the degree to which it presumes equality.