Back to Search
Start Over
The Seeds of Protest: From Elite Initiation to Grassroots Mobilization.
- Source :
-
Sociological Perspectives . Summer94, Vol. 37 Issue 2, p247-268. 22p. - Publication Year :
- 1994
-
Abstract
- The article reports the findings of our case study of a social movement organization opposed to the pollution of a river by a paper mill. Using data from participant-observation and archival sources, we analyze the relationship between elites and non-elites in this community mobilization. We find that: (1) mobilization was inhibited for 80 years because of the economic oppression of the region; (2) when a movement organization finally emerged, it was initiated by elites who resisted grassroots membership in order to control movement goals and protect their own economic interests; and (3) the elite-sponsored organization declined because of internal conflict but generated a new, grassroots organization. Based on our analysis, we conclude that protest and quiescence are cycles in the interaction of elites and non-elites that reflect social class conflict. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 07311214
- Volume :
- 37
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Sociological Perspectives
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 9407114011
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.2307/1389322