The Organizational And Political Transformation Of A Social Movement: A Study Of The 30th Of May Movement In Curacao
| Author(s) | Anderson, William A. | |
| Author(s) | Dynes, Russell R. | |
| Date Accessioned | 2005-04-30T20:03:36Z | |
| Date Available | 2005-04-30T20:03:36Z | |
| Publication Date | 1971-09 | |
| Description | There is considerable variation among social movements in the degree to which they are organized and Integrated. Usually, however, integration and coordination are problematsic for social movements as they tend to be marked by considerable dissensus. As Rillian has noted: "Many movements are comprised of diverse segments, each with its own structure, loosely united only by their allegiance to the central, explicit values and by the tendancy of outsiders to view them as parts of a single who1e." In many cases, there is no overall formal organlzation or structure which wields such diverse elements together. In fact, the interaction between the various components of a social movement is often characterized by conflict. There are points in the life history of some social movements, however, when the disintegrative tendencies are cancelled out, or are temporarily neutralized. Such periods are characterized by a growing consensus among the various components of a movement regarding such matters as goals and tactics, and a heightened sense of in-group consciousness. Under these circumstances, greater coordination and integration may emerge among the diverse segments of a movement, thus enabling it to have a profound affect upon its environment. In this paper, we will present a case study of a movement, more specifically the labor movement in Curacao, Netherlands Antilles, which underwent such a transformation beginning in May, 1969, hence the designation of this transformation as the "May Movement." Prior to this period, the labor movement in Curacao was highly fragmented, lacking the basis for sustained coordinated action. Among other things, the dissensus within the movement involved ideological and political considerations. The transformation of the labor movement assured several forms, the most dramatic being a riot during which there was loss of life and many injuries, and mlllions of dollars in property damage. In the discussion to follow, we will describe and offer an explanation for the various forms the transformation of the labor movement took beginning in May, 1969. Also, we will more briefly consider some of the consequences that the transformation of the labor movement had for its environment. | en |
| Sponsor | The Mershon Center, The Ohio State University, and Arizona State University. | en |
| Extent | 4879764 bytes | |
| MIME type | application/pdf | |
| URL | http://udspace.udel.edu/handle/19716/1192 | |
| dc.language | en_us | |
| Language | en_US | |
| Publisher | Disaster Research Center | en |
| Part of Series | Working Paper;39 | |
| Keywords | Curacao | en |
| Keywords | Political Transformation | en |
| Keywords | Organizational Transformation | en |
| Keywords | Social Movement | en |
| Title | The Organizational And Political Transformation Of A Social Movement: A Study Of The 30th Of May Movement In Curacao | en |
| Type | Other | en |