In: Mobilization - An International Quarterly |DOI|

Abstract

The article examines how social movements sustain interaction and survive beyond periods of heightened mobilization. Drawing on recent innovations in brokerage theory from organizational sociology, we explore the strategies employed by local brokers to create continued interaction opportunities. Our empirical analysis focuses on pro-refugee mobilization in Germany following the 2015-2016 refugee reception crisis, using 83 qualitative interviews conducted between 2020 and 2022. The interviews with volunteers, activists, and staff from the various collective actors involved in refugee support demonstrate the brokers’ diversified approach to fostering interactions within pro-refugee communities. We identify three sets of interaction opportunities involving contentious and noncontentious actions related to maintaining the core work, policy advocacy, and broadening the issue scope. Trust building with other actors, particularly local state authorities, was crucial for facilitating these opportunities. Overall, the study identifies the mechanisms and conditions necessary for sustaining social interaction in social movements during the postmobilization phase.