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Examines the functions of social networks in the process of individual participation in social movements with focus on the question of network intervention in this process. Social networks intervene in the socialization & construction of identities by providing an opportunity to participate & connecting potential participants to an organization; & by influencing one's intensity of involvement. Case studies of the Bern Declaration & the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) illuminate two characteristics of movement organizations -- their action repertoire & public visibility -- that present variation into participation processes. The social network dynamics of the Bern Declaration & WWF are compared for their socialization, structural connection, & decision-shaping functions. 2 Tables, 2 Figures, 2 Appendixes. L. Collins Leigh

Examines the functions of social networks in the process of individual participation in social movements with focus on the question of network intervention in this process. Social networks intervene in the socialization & construction of identities by providing an opportunity to participate & connecting potential participants to an organization; & by influencing one's intensity of involvement. Case studies of the Bern Declaration & the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) illuminate two characteristics of movement organizations -- their action repertoire & public visibility -- that present variation into participation processes. The social network dynamics of the Bern Declaration & WWF are compared for their socialization, structural connection, & decision-shaping functions. 2 Tables, 2 Figures, 2 Appendixes. L. Collins Leigh

Explores the concept of "social movement" for its implications of treating movements as networks in order to identify a specific social dynamic that differentiates social movements from related processes. Distinctive elements of social movements reveal a unique social movement dynamic related to informal networks, collective identity, & conflict. Theoretical models to identify social movement network structures & explain network & actor patterns are constructed. A proposed research agenda in social movement network analysis consists of multilevel analysis, single & multiple linkages, time, & "homophily" processes. 1 Table, 4 Figures.

Explores research developments in the relationship between social movements & social networks, including the structure of social movements. Social networks are important to better understand individual participation & interorganizational dynamics of social movements. The processes underlining the rise in popularity of networks in social science research is summarized. Social movements are discussed as networks of individuals, networks of organizations, & networks of collectivities & events. The articles in the book are introduced & how each addresses these themes is discussed. 1 Table. L. Collins Leigh

Examines social network dynamics involved in the environmental movement in Milan, Italy, during the mid-1980s to illuminate the relationship between network position, influence, & the social movement organization's properties. The measurement of influence within social movements is discussed, including the variety of influence due to structural position in a network, interaction between different movement sectors, & organizational activities (eg, alliance building). Centrality, leadership, & brokerage of several Milanese environmental groups are measured, revealing different dynamics within movement networks. 4 Tables, 2 Figures. L. Collins Leigh

Corruption is a complex social process involving not only institutions & systems, but also individual actors. Corrupt transactions begin with two individuals, both dealing with excitatory & inhibitory forces. In a form of power relations, these two individuals exchange power resources. Since the transaction is sanctionable, the dyadic interaction must be performed with secret communication & trust. Social network theory is used to develop a model of how corrupt dyadic transactions expand into corrupt networks of resource exchange. Corruption prevention programs should include monitoring channels of communication between individuals with resource dependencies, targeting cases where public employees strongly share interests not in line with organizational interests, & conceptualizing corruption in terms of power flows & relations, not individual attributes. M. Pflum

Corruption is a complex social process involving not only institutions & systems, but also individual actors. Corrupt transactions begin with two individuals, both dealing with excitatory & inhibitory forces. In a form of power relations, these two individuals exchange power resources. Since the transaction is sanctionable, the dyadic interaction must be performed with secret communication & trust. Social network theory is used to develop a model of how corrupt dyadic transactions expand into corrupt networks of resource exchange. Corruption prevention programs should include monitoring channels of communication between individuals with resource dependencies, targeting cases where public employees strongly share interests not in line with organizational interests, & conceptualizing corruption in terms of power flows & relations, not individual attributes. M. Pflum

Discusses the value of social network analysis for teasing out the network processes in social movements, particularly (1) how collective action is affected by actors' embeddedness in preexisting networks, & (2) how actors create new linkages that shape the subsequent development of protest &/or subcultural activities. Issues of data collection & organization are examined in detail, & ways of analyzing social movement structure & individual positions in social movement networks are demonstrated. A combination of qualitative & quantitative methods is deemed the most useful in network analysis. 5 Tables, 3 Figures, 74 References. K. Hyatt Stewart

"The issue of mutual aid networks is part of an approach aimed at enhancing wellbeing and quality of working life by reviving links of solidarity among work colleagues. The development of this approach is closely associated with a deterioration of mental health at the workplace. Mutual aid networks created by local unions aim to help fix this hardship. The goals set for dealing with problems consist first of controlling, reducing or even eliminating the work factors that imperil mental health; next, of supporting employees through union involvement aimed at leading to a new type of relationship; and, finally, of defending their rights and facilitating their return to work under better conditions. It is a way of improving working conditions by introducing a type of relationship among the members that leads to rediscover the social dimension of human development, an answer to a need that becomes obvious in workplaces. This article consists of showing how these networks play a part in union renewal. Mutual aid networks' are devised as a social innovation emerging from actions by employees associated with the trade-union and voluntary associations. Although networks are starting to develop a degree of self-reliance in terms of operations, outer connections are needed. We offer an understanding of how these networks are structured and inserted into unions' institutionalised activities. This involves analysing the process of their setting-up and the links that develop between agents as well as with principals and union representatives. The activities are set out based on the type of problem submitted to the network. The paper is divided into two parts. The first part presents what has emerged from rapid transformations in the labour world in terms of mental health, work organisation and the need for these problems to be handled through new union practices that complete the traditional course of actions. In the second part, we introduce the outcomes of our research by showing the structure-forming elements of mutual aid networks, in particular their internal organisation, their operations, the types of intervention and the conception of the role of mutual aid provider." (author's abstract)

Draws on 1998/99 fieldwork in two Nicaraguan peasant villages to consider whether the relationship between associational membership & the attitudinal elements of social capital exists in the Third World. At issue is whether associational life is linked to horizontal trust & cooperation (ie, reciprocity) or whether associations support vertical & clientelist networks. In addition, some attention is given to the viability of the civil society approach in development practice. An overview of associational life in the villages is provided, highlighting the characteristics of organizational members. The strong Sandinist bias in the villages is explained by the historical evolution of the political opportunity structure, which shaped the nature of associational life while creating & supporting local Sandinist leadership structures. In this light, associational recruitment mechanisms are considered as a way to understand the nonparticipation structure (of Liberals), finding that access to associations & their benefits is impacted by the villages' informal networks; local leaders play a big role in recruiting members. Findings indicate that associations fall into networks, with development efforts dictated by the local structure of the informal networks. Attentions turns to addressing why local leaders provide resources to the "untrustworthy" poorest groups in one village. Thus, the structure & content of its informal networks are scrutinized in search of horizontal forms of cooperation, & their relationship to the more clientelist aspects of associational life pondered. Evidence of horizontal cooperation & trust is overwhelmingly present in the village; why this is so is examined. In closing, policy recommendations are offered, stressing the need to revise the civil society development perspective. 2 Tables, 34 References. J. Zendejas