engleski

Does Fridays for Future Movement Fit New Social Movements Theory? Qualitative Analysis of FFF Croatia

Fridays for Future climate protests, which began as individual actions, soon morphed into a powerful global youth movement, with millions participating in Global Climate Strikes in 2019. This study examined the main characteristics of these protests and how they fit among new environmental social movements. We rely on the results from Wahlström et al.’s (2019) cross- national study of FFFs in 13 European countries, and our own qualitative empirical research that conducted interviews with 19 FFF Croatia organisers and participants. Our analysis revealed that, while NSMT is useful for understanding some of the FFF characteristics, it is clearly not a perfect fit. Challenging the suitability of the new social movements theory to adequately explain the FFF movement, we found many connections with ‘contemporary’ social movements of the 21st century. Social media use is crucial and qualitatively different ; organizational structure is completely loosened ; and the new generation of protesters is faced with precarious labour market. Furthermore, FFF goals combine post-materialistic (in line with NSMs) with more materialistic issues (e.g. feeling life threatening conditions, and an awareness of climate change consequences and climate change policy effects on specific local issues). Therefore, the issues encompass environmental protection and political economy, urging the transformation of both individual and social identities and socio-economic systems. This research was conducted as part of the project funded by the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb (43-922- 1023)

new social movements theory, new environmental movements, contemporary social movements, Fridays for Future, School Strikes for Climate, Croatia

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