Social movements are broad social alliances of people who are interested, through their shared interest, in blocking or influencing social change. According to the theory of mass society proposed by William Kornhauser, social movements are led by individuals in large societies who feel insignificant and socially detached. In addition to theory, it provides a sense of empowerment and belonging that social movement members lack (Kornhauser 1959). In other words, social movements are “society's attempts to react to crisis situations through the development of shared beliefs on which to establish new foundations for collective solidarity” (Porta and Diani 2006: 7). Political party refers to an organized group of people who exercise their legal right to identify with a similar set of political objectives and opinions and who seek to influence public policy by having their candidates elected to public office. It represents the ideas and beliefs held by a larger majority of people. Members of a political party have more or less similar political objectives and interests. Furthermore, they enable them to address the demands of their members and supporters in parliament and government. New social movements focus on social and cultural issues, rather than economic or political considerations. It “focuses on realizing social mobilization through cultural innovation, the development of new lifestyles, and the transformation of identities” (Postill 2012). It also brings a sense of common purpose and shared commitment that allows individual activists and/or organizations to see themselves as inextricably linked to each other, to promote broader mobilization (Porta and Diani 2006: 21). New social movements emphasize the role of post-matter...... middle of paper...... an introduction, Malden, MA: Blackwell2. Kornhauser, W. (1959) "The Politics of Mass Society", New York: Free Press3. Smelser, N. (1962) 'THEORY OF COLLECTIVE BEHAVIOR', New York: Free Press4. Pollick, M. (March 29, 2014). What is the purpose of political parties? [Online]. (URL http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-the-scopo-of-political-parties.htm). (Assessment dated April 18, 2014)5. Postil, J. (February 28, 2012). NEW SOCIAL MOVEMENTS AND SOCIAL CHANGE. [Online]. (URL http://mediasocialchange.net/2012/02/28/new-social-movements-and-social-change/). (Assessment dated 18 April 2014)6. The Electoral Knowledge Network (2012). Parties and candidates. [Online]. (URL http://aceproject.org/ace-en/topics/pc/pca/pca01/pca01a). (Assessment dated 20 April 2014)7. Total Politics (1770). QUOTES. [Online]. (URL http://www.totalpolitics.com/quotes/?tag=Edmund+Burke&count=10). (Assessed April 21 2014)