A social movement encompasses collective attempts by a group of people to further a common interest or secure a shared goal through organised action that typically takes place outside the sphere of established political institutions and conventional channels. These movements often arise in response to perceived social, economic, or political grievances and seek to bring about or resist social change, existing in a dynamic relationship, often one of conflict, with organisations or power structures whose objectives and outlook they frequently oppose. Social movements can vary widely in their goals, tactics, organisational structures, and the scale of change they aim to achieve, ranging from advocating for specific policy reforms to seeking fundamental transformations in societal norms and values. While they operate outside of formal political systems, successful social movements can sometimes influence policy and, if they manage to gain significant power and become institutionalised, may evolve into formal organisations or even political parties.