Hizballah as a Social Movement Organization: A Framing Approach

Abstract

Hizballah is more than just an armed group; it is a social movement organization. The article shows how framing theory can explain Hizballah's growing popularity in Lebanon. It follows David Snow and Robert Benford's division of framing into three categories: diagnostic, prognostic and motivational. Indeed, Hizballah has adopted certain diagnostic, prognostic and motivational frames in order to transmit messages to selected audiences. Its frames are not static, but rather flexible to changing political and socio-economic circumstances. In addition, Hizballah has endorsed the master frames of pan-Islamism, human rights and anti-globalization that could confer legitimacy to the group's aims.