Citizens Movement

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The term citizens' movement is defined differently in different contexts.

Conceptual differentiation according to historical or organizational aspects

In recent German history, a citizens' movement was an organizational form of political groupings during the fall of the Wall in the GDR and in the following years. It developed against the background of the experiences in the GDR in contrast to the form of the party . The citizens' movements, however, made similar demands as political parties for their activities. So that was parliamentary work is an important aspect. The term “citizens' movement” is occasionally also used for the new forms of extra-parliamentary opinion- forming that emerged in the 1960s , which took the side of classical representative democracy. These were initially small local groups who, as those affected, demanded a special say and influenced political parties and public administration . This resulted in the anti-nuclear power movement , the peace movement , alternative movements (advocating self-realization and grassroots decision-making processes) and civil rights groups, initially primarily in the church in the GDR.

In the organizational , social work sense, the term citizens 'movement is also used for the amalgamation of several or all citizens' initiatives in a city or region. Citizens 'initiatives are usually committed to a single goal, a merger of several initiatives can pool forces for a certain topic or goal for a limited period of time , or permanently, in order to promote citizens' understanding and a critically questioning attitude towards politics and administration.

Even nationwide organizations , such as the Action Common Spirit , the Action Humane School or the Humanist Union , which stand up long-term and in association with others for political change independent of parties, to change disability policy , learning situations or civil rights against surveillance , are sometimes colloquially known as citizens' movements designated.

Importance for social work

Strong influences come from community work , a transfer of community organizing from the USA and a basic form of social work. In the citizens' movements of the 1960s, new methodical approaches to grassroots decision-making in groups such as the future workshops emerged .

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