Politics and the Organization of Collective Action: The Case of Nigeria, 1960-1975

In: Political behavior, Band 3, Heft 2, S. 87-116

Abstract

Nigerian newspaper accounts of 1,036 Ur & 502 Ru incidents of collective action during 1960-1975 provide support for an organizational conception of collective action. Such a conception rests on the notion that collective events -- riots, demonstrations, strikes, marches, & violent confrontations -- are the accompanying manifestations of routine politics & are instigated by many of the same organizations that sponsor nonviolent, ordinary political & economic activities. It is argued that collective action is organized action; its vehicles are mainly preexisting organizations that determine the location & timing of collective action, select the forms of contention, articulate the issues, & choose the targets of collective protest. Insofar as a society's organizational base determines the shape of collective action, political policies that affect the society's organizational base -- ie, the politics of organizational repression & facilitation -- will decrease or increase associated forms of collective action. 6 Tables, 1 Appendix, 72 References. Modified HA.