More Than Tools: ICTs Influencing Social Movement’s Opportunity Structures

摘要: The purpose of this exploratory study is to take the first step towards theorizing role ICTs in social movements. This guided by following research question: How do movements relate opportunity structures through ICTs? Opportunity are signals identified as such a group actors, case members movements, who sufficiently organized act on it (D. McAdam et al., 1996; J. D. McCarthy, 1996). So far, has shown that influence movements’ structure making easier identify elites, acquire information about international events, and make more difficult for governments regulate censor flow (Diani & McAdam, 2003; Garrett, 2006). However, not addressed whether represent an access participate political processes. I conducted mixed-method Honduran Resistance Movement, which rose after Coup d’etat 2009. relevant two reasons: one, was wave revolts around world, relied heavily get organized; two, located Latin America, area going important economic changes, been overlooked studies ICTs. interviewed movement, civil society organizations, government organizations. also observation mobilizations meetings, collected qualitative data from newspapers media. Findings indicate play determinant movement only mere tools, but integral part their processes structures. Members conceive structures; they sense them use re-arrangements include strategically repertoire mobilization. were used process facilitating creation new alliances, fostering collaboration dialog across institutions, providing tools fight impunity repression. conclude signal constraints activists’ actions either hurting repression surveillance; or helping alternative Structures allow formally politics. significance work showcased increasing uses like Occupy Wall Street, Egyptian uprising, Chilean student’s movement. It highlighted governmental organizations support policies help build digital capacity.