Social movement endurance: Collective identity and the Rastafari

In this paper we argue that a movement's longevity depends on its ability t o develop and sustain a strong sense of collective identity. We investigate social movement endurance by examining the Rastafari, whose membership is comprised primarily of disadvantaged Jamaicans of African descent. While ma ny social movements fade after a short-lived peak, the Rastafari not only h as persisted but it also has become globally important. Despite its radical posture and its perceived threat to the Jamaican established order, the mo vement has prevailed for more than six decades. On the basis of a number of concepts derived from different theoretical traditions in social movement theory, we examine the dynamic processes involved in the construction of co llective identity among the Rastafari. We are particularly interested in th e concepts of "cognitive liberation," "movement culture/boundary structure, " and "the politics of signification." These concepts allow us to describe and analyze the key dimensions of the Rastafarian collective identity. This framework, we argue, enhances our understanding of collective identity as well as the processes contributing to social movement longevity.