Examining The Strategies and Targets of The Global Civil Society Movement: A Case Study of March For Our Lives
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Abstract
The increasing frequency of school shootings in the United States, particularly the 2018 Parkland tragedy, sparked the emergence of the March for Our Lives (MFOL) movement, led by youth survivors advocating for stricter gun control. This study examines the strategies, tactics, and impacts of MFOL both before and after its transformation into a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO). It aims to understand how a grassroots initiative evolved into an internationally recognized NGO and succeeded in influencing public opinion and policymaking on a significant scale. Using qualitative methods, this study applies the theoretical framework of the Transnational Advocacy Network (TAN), focusing on four key tactics: Information Politics, Symbolic Politics, Leverage Politics, and Accountability Politics. Findings reveal that prior to becoming an NGO, MFOL relied heavily on mass demonstrations, digital campaigns through click activism, and direct political persuasion to raise awareness and pressure U.S. lawmakers. After institutionalizing as an NGO, MFOL expanded its network and legitimacy through international cooperation and formal advocacy, including collaboration with global institutions.
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