What is social movement? How does the Tea Party exemplify social movement? Explain Tea Party’s main platform and how it has influenced American politics

Answer 1

A social movement is a movement that grows out the culture as a whole. It is usually a reaction to large piece of legislation or an outdated system which oppresses or is seen as oppressive to specific group of people. In the Tea Party's case it was a reaction to the Affordable Care Act better known as Obamacare. I would also argue that it was a delayed reaction to large power given Federal government after 9/11. The Tea Party sought to reduce taxes, regulations and increase power of individual governments. Tapping into the economic fear of the Great Recession they also quickly adopt nativist policies such as a hard southern border and a return to stricter immigration quotas for nonskilled workers. Much of the Tea Party's platform was adopted by the Trump Administration. The Tea Party along with The Occupy Wall Street Movement are often referred as the moments that started the current Culture Wars.