ABSTRACT
Social mobilization, as a concept in sociology, involves commitments and actions that motivate members of society to participate in order to bring about social changes. These changes can be formal, leading to a change in law; they can also be informal, resulting in an alternative set of social norms. In contrast to social movements, social mobilization is intermittent and transient by nature. As an integral part of a social movement, however, social mobilization helps build a sense of solidarity, identity, and public awareness that supports a cause. Social mobilization can be legitimized by a political institution, including a government. It can also be used to challenge the moral authority and political legitimacy of an institution. In short, social mobilization provides a means for a social movement to achieve its goals. The mere presence of some forms of social mobilization is not a sufficient proof of the existence of a social movement. However, no social movement can exist without some visible forms of social mobilization.
