Consensus social movements and their significance in a globalizing world - the example of the Focolare movement

Abstract

The importance of consensus social movements consists in the creation of new cultural orientations based on the principles of humanism and universal values, and the way they catalyse the process of a new state of ‘social aggregation’ and strive to gain control over historicity by actively taking part in structuring the global world. They mark a path of constructive social involvement, both on an individual and communal plane. The essential activity of consensus social movements is promoting a new culture ‒ i.e. lifestyles which constitute an alternative to those in the mainstream ‒ as well as concrete action for social change. Such movements consist mainly consists of “work at the base”, i.e. activity at the most fundamental human level. One of the specific characteristics of consensus movements, which sets them apart from different movements, is the fact that social mobilization in this case is not based on conflict; it is geared toward constructive action. The Focolare Movement has existed since the 1940s. It is present in 182 countries and has over 2 million members and adherents, mainly Catholics, but also about 50 thousand members of other denominations and about 30 thousand followers of other religions as well as about 70 thousand non-believers. They get together, despite their differences, and engage in solving social problems on every level – global, international, local and interpersonal.