Power and Powerlessness: Quiescence & Rebellion in an Appalachian Valley
by John Gaventa
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Description
Using Clear Fork Valley in central Appalachia as an empirical example, Gaventa attempts to discern the ""hidden faces of power"" - those forces which shape actions and consciousness in ways not readily apparent in formal American political processes.Tags
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elenchus Gaventa proposes three dimensions of power, from the familiar physical force of the 1st dimension, to the more subtle forms of the 2nd and 3rd dimensions. He supports his argument with reference to a case study of an Appalachian mining town, particularly helpful in reference to the 2nd & 3rd dimensions. Rushkoff illustrates further the 2nd & 3rd dimensions in a consumer-centric set of examples, though apparently without being aware of the link. Both are key conceptions in the analysis of power, and Gaventa's is itself a key work in the field.
Member Reviews
"Rebellion, to be successful, must both confront power and overcome the accumulated effects of powerlessness."
Yeah. That.
This book doesn't solve anything -- the quote above might be the closest you get to a "what next" payoff -- but that's not the point. The point is that people who are poor and uneducated are not stupid or weak. It really tried to set out what you know is true if you work in poverty realms at all -- that each aspect of poverty and powerlessness reinforces every other aspect. And that for the powerful to maintain power takes not a lot of effort.
It's not just the powerful setting the agenda. It's them writing the language the agenda's written in.
Yeah. That.
This book doesn't solve anything -- the quote above might be the closest you get to a "what next" payoff -- but that's not the point. The point is that people who are poor and uneducated are not stupid or weak. It really tried to set out what you know is true if you work in poverty realms at all -- that each aspect of poverty and powerlessness reinforces every other aspect. And that for the powerful to maintain power takes not a lot of effort.
It's not just the powerful setting the agenda. It's them writing the language the agenda's written in.
A fascinating study of the relationship between local values and political action in Kentucky coal country.
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7+ Works 230 Members
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- Genres
- Sociology, Nonfiction, Politics and Government, General Nonfiction, History
- DDC/MDS
- 320.974 — Society, government, & culture Political science Types of Government Political situation and conditions North America Northeastern U.S.
- LCC
- HC107 .A127 .G38 — Social sciences Economic history and conditions Economic history and conditions By region or country
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- 200
- Popularity
- 163,191
- Reviews
- 2
- Rating
- (3.79)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper
- ISBNs
- 3
