Why can growing membership create internal conflict within a social movement?

As a social movement grows, it often experiences an increase in membership heterogeneity, which can serve as a primary source of internal conflict.1

In the early stages of a movement, followers are typically characterized by deep commitment and fanatical dedication to the group's values. However, as a movement gains respectability and expands, it often attracts new members who lack this intense level of devotion. These individuals may have significant reservations about the movement's goals or ideology and may participate only sporadically.12

This disparity between the core of deeply committed, often "fanatical" members and the more casual, less dedicated newcomers creates friction. Because social movements rely heavily on faith, loyalty, and shared norms to maintain cohesion—rather than formal contracts or legal obligations—this influx of diverse perspectives and varying levels of commitment can challenge the movement's unity and its ability to maintain a consistent "party line".12