International Relations Researches

International Relations Researches

Social political effects of student movements in the conditions of livelihood crises in the light of global political economy evolution

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Mohammad parsa 1
Gholamreza Jafarinia 2
Moloud Keykhossravani 3
1 PhD student, Department of Sociology, Bu.C., Islamic Azad University, Bushehr, Iran
2 Corresponding Author, Department of Sociology, Bu.C, Islamic Azad University, Bushehr, Iran.
3 Department of General Psychology, Bu.C, Islamic Azad University, Bushehr, Iran.
10.22034/irr.2026.581044.2848
Abstract
Student movements, as one of the most dynamic forms of collective action, have consistently been influenced by economic fluctuations and structural crises. This study aims to provide a sociological analysis of student movements within the context of living crises, examining their socio-political consequences in connection with international relations developments. The research methodology is qualitative, based on documentary analysis and theoretical synthesis, drawing upon key theories in the sociology of social movements. Findings indicate that living crises, by inducing a sense of relative deprivation and eroding social status, transform student welfare demands into structural and discourse-making protests. Meanwhile, variables such as globalization, international austerity policies, and new communication technologies act as catalysts for the expansion and transnationalization of these movements. Furthermore, the results suggest that the link between domestic grievances and global legal norms enhances students’ bargaining power against power structures and leads to the reconstruction of social capital within the university environment. Ultimately, the study concludes that student movements during living crises are more than just a simple economic reaction; they represent a rational response to institutional inefficiencies and an endeavor toward social justice and democratization within the framework of the global system and interdependence. By redefining the state-nation relationship, these movements function as drivers of structural change in modern societies.
Keywords
Student Movements
Living Crisis
Socio-Political Consequences
Relative Deprivation
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