Social studies includes political economy, human geography, sociology, anthropology, archaeology and history. History is the most direct connection between social studies and a boycott. For example:
- In the United States, the Montgomery Bus Boycott was a pivotal event in the Civil Rights Movement. The boycott began in 1955 when Rosa Parks, an African American woman, was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a public bus to a white man. The boycott lasted for 381 days and ended when the Supreme Court ruled that segregation on public buses was unconstitutional.
- In South Africa, the anti-apartheid movement used boycotts as a key tactic to pressure the government to end racial segregation. The movement called for international sanctions against South Africa and for businesses to divest from the country. The boycotts helped to bring about the end of apartheid in 1994.
- In recent years, boycotts have been used to protest various issues, including the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories and the Dakota Access Pipeline. These boycotts have been used to raise awareness of these issues and to pressure governments and corporations to change their policies.
Economics provides another framework for understanding boycotts. According to economic theory, individuals make choices based on the principle of utility. Economists would predict that individuals will engage in boycotts when they believe that the costs of doing so are outweighed by the benefits. For example, consumers who boycott a company because of its environmental policies may incur some costs, such as having to pay a higher price for an alternative product. However, they may believe that the benefits of sending a message to the company about its policies are greater than these costs.
Boycotts can have unintended consequences. For example, boycotts may lead to job losses in the targeted community or they may make it easier for repressive regimes to maintain power by claiming that the boycotts are an attack on the country's sovereignty.
Despite these risks, boycotts can be an effective tool for social change. By refusing to do business with those who engage in unacceptable practices, consumers and businesses can send a powerful message that these practices are not tolerated. Boycotts can also raise awareness of important issues and build support for social change.