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Social Movements and Grassroots Activism in the 21st Century
Author(s): Pooja MishraAbstract
The twenty-first century has witnessed a resurgence and reconfiguration of social movements and grassroots activism across the globe. While the ideological foundations of such movements often remain rooted in longstanding struggles for justice equality and freedom their forms actors and strategies have transformed in response to technological advancements geopolitical shifts and cultural realignments. This paper explores the evolving landscape of social movements in the current century focusing on the interplay between digital media decentralization intersectionality and global-local linkages. Drawing on a variety of case studies—from environmental resistance and anti-austerity protests to feminist mobilizations and indigenous rights campaigns—the study examines the innovations and continuities in grassroots activism. It also reflects on the challenges facing these movements including state repression co-optation and internal contradictions while highlighting the enduring relevance of collective action as a transformative force in contemporary society.