Doctoral Dissertations

Date of Award

8-2000

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Major

Sociology

Major Professor

Sherry Cable

Committee Members

Donald W. Hastings, Mary Rogge, Thomas C. Hood

Abstract

Social change is an integral topic of sociology. The formation of the discipline was prompted by rapid social change ushered in by the French Revolution and the Industrial Revolution. Social change was crucial to the development of the major sociological perspectives as early theorists struggled with the construction of a social science that would bring order to chaos. Autonomous, technological, historical, and planned change are addressed in social science research. Despite the intrinsic relationship between the discipline of sociology and social change, the sociological analysis of social movements as a form of social change has largely been neglected. This work attempts to redress that deficit.

The case study of Solutions to Issues of Concern to Knoxvillians (SICK) incorporates social psychological, resource mobilization, and new social movement perspectives to examine the factors related to the maintenance and success of the social movement organization (SMO) During its 18-year history, SICK has been successful in bringing about social change at the local, and state levels. I examine three internal factors that impact the maintenance and success of the SMO: organizational structure, participant characteristics, and internal dynamics.

Findings indicate that there were five stages in the developmental career of the SMO: Stage 1: Emergence, 1982-1986; Stage 2: Decline I, 1987-1991; Stage 3: Resurgence I, 1992-1994; Stage 4: Decline II, 1995-1996; and Stage 5: Resurgence II, 1997-2000. Each of the five stages were crucial to the maintenance and success of the SMO. Member and staff turnover, obtaining stable funding, networks with other SMOS, and the hiring of competent staff are analyzed as organizational factors that served to maintain the SMO and ensure success. The diversity of participant characteristics also helped to foster maintenance and bring about multiple campaign successes. Charter and long-term members, short-term members, members with various demographic characteristics, and aggrieved and conscience constituents brought various strengths to the organization. Finally, the internal dynamics of the organization are analyzed by selection of appropriate political issues at the local and state level and effective strategies for affecting social change.

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