Collective identity and action of the Gulen movement: implications for social movement theory

This study focuses on the collective identity, action and outcomes of the Gulen Movement within the framework of sociology of social movements. It differs from recent studies in that, rather than using the categorizations from one theory, it tests against the Gulen Movement all the categorizations of the major contemporary theories, namely, 'political opportunity', 'resource mobilization' and 'framing' structures. It reviews the sociological study of social movements in relation to the practice of the Gülen Movement of Turkey and asks what kind of movement it is and what are its academic and social implications.