Quiescence and Rebellion in an Appalachian valley
Cymphony Dawkins
Savannah State University
Abstract
In Gaventa’s (1980) publication of power and powerlessness: Quiescence and rebellion in an Appalachian valley he explains that having power can have both a positive and negative affect on one’s decision making either by preventing decisions from being implemented as well as bringing them into fruition. His primary focus is to investigate the social peace and find the fuel for the rebellious up rise in the Appalachian valley. This further demonstrates that the economic deprivation has no effect on those individuals that wield said power.
In search for answers he then adopted the three dimensional view of power, which …show more content…
Although they lie outside of the “decision-making arenas” they are easy to detect. Gaventa clarifies that having a grievance “does not” mean those issues will be considered or even viewed as an issue for “study in dominant political forums.” As a result of this there is a predetermine sense of failure by those who lack power in the Appalachian Valley, and over the years this repeated sense of failures has been carried through generations, thus leaving them to believe that their issues are not relevant as a result anytime an issue arises and an attempt to resolve these issues are made those in power benefit from the resources provided “which serves or can be wielded to re-instil non-challenge.” (pg. 254) Over the years it has been proven that most “institutions practices have often worked against the powerless to benefit the powerful” (pg. 254) an example of this would be in the case of Buffalo Hollow. In this instance sanctions may be used or threatened, whether over pension benefits, health cards, food stamps, or the home or job tenure of an individual or an individual’s kin or neighbor. In lieu of retaliations those in power have instilled a sense of fear in those living in the Appalachian Valley that if they refuse to abide by the rules implemented there benefits will be revoked as a means of
Cymphony Dawkins
Savannah State University
Abstract
In Gaventa’s (1980) publication of power and powerlessness: Quiescence and rebellion in an Appalachian valley he explains that having power can have both a positive and negative affect on one’s decision making either by preventing decisions from being implemented as well as bringing them into fruition. His primary focus is to investigate the social peace and find the fuel for the rebellious up rise in the Appalachian valley. This further demonstrates that the economic deprivation has no effect on those individuals that wield said power.
In search for answers he then adopted the three dimensional view of power, which …show more content…
Although they lie outside of the “decision-making arenas” they are easy to detect. Gaventa clarifies that having a grievance “does not” mean those issues will be considered or even viewed as an issue for “study in dominant political forums.” As a result of this there is a predetermine sense of failure by those who lack power in the Appalachian Valley, and over the years this repeated sense of failures has been carried through generations, thus leaving them to believe that their issues are not relevant as a result anytime an issue arises and an attempt to resolve these issues are made those in power benefit from the resources provided “which serves or can be wielded to re-instil non-challenge.” (pg. 254) Over the years it has been proven that most “institutions practices have often worked against the powerless to benefit the powerful” (pg. 254) an example of this would be in the case of Buffalo Hollow. In this instance sanctions may be used or threatened, whether over pension benefits, health cards, food stamps, or the home or job tenure of an individual or an individual’s kin or neighbor. In lieu of retaliations those in power have instilled a sense of fear in those living in the Appalachian Valley that if they refuse to abide by the rules implemented there benefits will be revoked as a means of