Masters Theses

Date of Award

8-1991

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Major

Sociology

Major Professor

Thomas C. Hood

Committee Members

Robert G. Perrin, Sherry Cable

Abstract

This thesis is an examination of the decision-making process of solid waste disposal from movement/community elite perspective. a social The issues of compensations/incentives and perceived risks affect the mobilization of protest groups and the mobilization of community elites. The decision-making process of solid waste disposal is presented as a case study to show there is a relationship between the following controversies: environmental, political, and technical. These controversies contribute to the emergence of grassroots organizations. The case study approach will identify the significant participants in solid waste disposal.

The Metropolitan Knox Solid Waste Authority (MKSWA) represents a group of community elites who were selected by the Mayor and County Executive to create a comprehensive solid waste disposal program. The decisions made on solid waste disposal contributed to the emergence of grassroots organizations. MKSWA strongly suggested to Knoxvillians that incineration of their garbage is a feasible option. However, protest groups disagreed with this plan while promoting the need for conservation and recycling to reduce the city's excessive generation of garbage. The proposed synthesis of two literatures provides an analysis to allow full understanding of how decisions are made on a local social vi issue and how issues of compensations/incentives and perceived risks stimulate the mobilization of grassroots organizations.

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