A political movement is a collective effort by a group to change government policy or social values, typically opposing the status quo and driven by a specific ideology. Theories explaining their emergence include the Political Opportunity Theory, suggesting movements arise from political circumstances, and the Resource Mobilization Theory, emphasizing strategic organization, fundraising, and resources. Unlike political parties, which aim for office and address multiple issues, movements usually focus on a single issue and often employ unconventional methods.
However, many political movements have evolved into or launched "movement parties" to bring their specific concerns directly into government. Notable examples include Spain's 15-M Movement leading to the creation of Podemos, and Brazilian labor movements forming the Workers' Party. Political scientists Santos and Mercea observe that this rise of movement parties across Europe reflects a significant socio-political transformation, blurring the lines between traditional electoral and non-electoral politics.