RISK, MOTIVATION AND COST OF SOCIAL MOVEMENT ACTIVISM: A STUDY OF THE OCCUPYGHANA MOVEMENT.

ABSTRACT 

Social movement generally seek to effect change in society, and in the process encounter challenges which could extend to physical and verbal threats on the actors involved. In some cases, these threats have extended to the families and close relations of the actors (activists). Despite these threats, there are activists who dare to be different to challenge the status quo to get things done right. The study therefore sort to understand what motivations there to such engagements. The study also looks at the costs of engagement to both activists and their close relations. The study further inquired of the close relations of activists, their perceptions and fears if any, of their involvement in activism. Also investigated was the kind of support given by the close relations. In putting the study in perspective, the rational choice theory was explored to appropriately explain the end goal for activists for which reason they would go through the risks and bear the cost to achieve their desire.  The study purposively selected leading members of the OccupyGhana march held by a section of Ghanaians to express displeasure at the government for what was perceived to be economic hardships and corruption in the country. These leading members were identified as activists. Consequently, snowballing method was used to identify close relations of the activists. The study employed the qualitative method comprising of a total of fifteen (15) respondents, of which eleven (11) were activists and four (4) close relations.  The findings reveal that the factors which motivated the OccupyGhana activists were Political Awareness, Patriotism, Satisfaction, Activism Experience, and Apathy on the part of the leaders (Strain). Among the costs which the participants of the study had to bear as result of their activism were Economic, Social, Time and Material. The study revealed that among the risks activists faced were assault, perceived threats and threats, and burnout. The findings of the study showed what enabled the activists of OccupyGhana to bear the cost of their activism is/was the passion they developed for the course of political activism which is fuelled by the hope in the future that if they succeed in their demands the result will be a creation of a country which serve the needs of its citizens and not the political elites. An outcome the rational choice theorist will say outweighs the cost. The study recommends future studies to concentrate solely on the close relations to activists and the deeper experiences they have to share, especially activist who are alive. This will provide insight on the subject matter of what close relations of activists make of the involvement of the relations in activism, with regards to cost and benefits to the family.