Emergence of collective action and environmental networking in relation to radioactive waste management
This paper explores the relationship between the national environmental movement and nuclear technology in relation to a local emergent group. The historical development of nuclear technology in this conutry has followed a path leading to continued fear and mistrust of waste management by a portion of the population. At the forefront of opposition to nuclear technology are people and groups endorsing environmental values. Because of the antinuclear attitudes of environmentalists and the value orientation of appropriate technologists in the national environmental movement, it seems appropriate for local groups to call on these national groups for assistance regarding nuclear-related issues. A case study is used to illustrate how a local action group, once integrated into a national environmental network, can become an effective, legitimate participant in social change. The formation, emergence, mobilization, and networking of a local group opposed to a specific federal radioactive waste management plan is described based on organizational literature. However, inherent contradictions in defining the local versus national benefits plus inherent problems within the environmental movement could be acting to limit the effectiveness of such networks. 49 refs.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Lab., IL (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-31-109-ENG-38
- OSTI ID:
- 5539296
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-850855-1; ON: DE85007993
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Rural Sociological Society annual meeting, Blacksburg, VA, USA, 21 Aug 1985
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Basis for a Waste Management Public Communication Policy: Actual Situation Analysis and Implementation of Corrective Actions
Attitudes of the public about nuclear wastes
Related Subjects
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
PUBLIC OPINION
SITE SELECTION
ATTITUDES
BEHAVIOR
ENVIRONMENT
HISTORICAL ASPECTS
NUCLEAR POWER
PUBLIC RELATIONS
RADIATION HAZARDS
REMEDIAL ACTION
SOCIOLOGY
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
MANAGEMENT
POWER
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
052002* - Nuclear Fuels- Waste Disposal & Storage
054000 - Nuclear Fuels- Health & Safety
530100 - Environmental-Social Aspects of Energy Technologies- Social & Economic Studies- (-1989)
290200 - Energy Planning & Policy- Economics & Sociology
290600 - Energy Planning & Policy- Nuclear Energy