Which term describes the ways a social movement utilizes resources like money and political influence?

The term that best describes the ways a social movement utilizes resources such as money and political influence is resource mobilization. This concept focuses on how social movements gather, organize, and deploy resources—both material and non-material—necessary for their activities and goals. It emphasizes the importance of strategic planning and the practical means by which groups draw upon their available resources to pursue social change.

Resource mobilization is crucial for understanding the dynamics of social movements because it highlights that movements often need to collect resources, build coalitions, and develop strategies to amplify their impact. The effectiveness of a social movement can greatly depend on its ability to mobilize resources effectively, including funding, manpower, and strategic relationships with influential allies or institutions.

The other terms, while related to the concept of resources, do not accurately capture the active process of gathering and using resources in the context of social movements. Resource allocation refers more specifically to assigning resources to different tasks or areas, resource distribution focuses on the manner in which resources are spread out or shared, and resource utilization indicates the actual use of resources but lacks the emphasis on the collective organization and mobilization necessary for achieving the objectives of a social movement.