Pluralism by Default: Community Power in a Paper Mill Town

Publisher： Society of American Foresters

ISSN： 0015-749X

Source： Forest Science, Vol.42, Iss.1, 1996-02, pp. : 35-45

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Abstract

Forest-dependent communities are often isolated geographically and culturally but linked politically and economically to industrial core areas. Theories of underdevelopment and resource-dependence, and theories of community power are used to explain the implications of forest-dependence for the structure of local politics in one Maine paper mill town. Three models of power, as outlined by sociologists and political scientists, suggest three possible configurations of community power structures. Historical, documentary analysis and contemporary field research demonstrate the fluidity of the power structure for the community in question. As the needs and interests of the dominant local economic force have changed over time, the community has experienced elitist, hegemonic, and pluralist regimes of power. The contemporary power structure is a pluralism by default. The withdrawal from local politics of the major economic player has created a political vacuum and the historic dependency relationship between paper mill managers and the community has created an apathetic and nonparticipative citizenry. For. Sci. 42(1):35-45.