Doctoral Dissertations

Date of Award

8-1996

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Major

Sociology

Major Professor

Sherry Cable

Committee Members

Robert Gorman, Asafa Jalata, John Gaventa

Abstract

Current resource mobilization perspectives fail to include analysis of power in the study of social movements. An enhanced resource mobilization theoretical model can be developed by synthesizing the work of Steven Lukes (community power) and Mayer Zald (resource mobilization). In 1994, Jackson/Madison County Commissioners in west Tennessee proposed to build a county jail in a predominantly African American residential community. The action was perceived to be a case of environmental injustice by residents. The neighborhood mobilized, formed a protest group, and defeated this action. This case of social movement activity tests the explanatory power of the enhanced resource mobilization theoretical model. Data for this research project was gathered by conducting in-depth interviews with members and supporters of the protest group, leaders in the community, city and county officials, civil rights veterans, and local historians. Historical analysis incorporated scholarly works, city directories dating from 1872-1910, the original charter of the town of Jackson (1854), as well as 1909 amendments to the city charter, several historical monographs, census records, articles from the Tennessee Historical QuarterIv. a 1920 Social Survey of the City of Jackson, and numerous back issues of local past and present newspapers. Long term residents and local historians also provided historical information. The data supports the assertion that this was a case of environmental injustice. Economic and political structures which developed through the years determined the form that race relations historically took. The unequal relationship among blacks and whites served to prevent African Americans from participating fully in an open decision-making arena until the late 1980s. At that time, the political structure changed to a more representative form of government, allowing true grassroots activity to take place during the jail siting protest. The theoretical model enables a more thorough analysis of many aspects of this social movement activity. The model satisfactorily describes where power relationships are located in the social structure, as illustrated in this case study. The model also allows scrutiny of the role of power relationships in influencing and controlling the interests, welfare and freedom of the less powerful. Finally, the model aids in analyzing the ability of power relationships to enable or prevent the securement of resources or the defining of a collective good.

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