How Good Social Movements Can Triumph over Bad Ones

Research found that evaluating the moral values of individual participants does not increase the morality or the actions of a larger movement.

We can only start to discern the distinction between "good" and "bad" movements if we assess the goals, tactics and outcomes of movements as collective phenomena.

• The morality of a movement is measured by the kind of change it aims for. 'Good' movements try to pressure institutional authorities to reduce systemic inequality and injustices. 'Bad' movements are reactionary in response to 'good' movements and try to preserve exclusionary structures, laws and policies.
• Large-scale institutional changes that broaden freedom or advance the cause of social justice often results from pressure exerted from the bottom up by ordinary people who push for reform collectively and outside the bounds of mainstream institutions.
• Good intentions do not guarantee success.