Participation Type
Paper
Session Title
Session 3.02 Politics
Presentation #1 Title
THE SOCIAL STRUCTURE OF LOCAL POLITICS IN AN APPALACHIAN COMMUNITY: PERSONALISM PATRONAGE AND COERCION
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
“Local elites” have played a prominent role in fomenting poverty and inequality across much of Appalachia. Nowhere does this hold truer than in “Shale County,” wherein the local government takes the form of a corrupt and nepotistic spoils system. An FBI probe that began during the early 2000s, for example, resulted in the conviction of more than 50 local officials for malfeasance. Despite this corruption, elites have cultivated a surprising level of popular support. Many Shale Countians felt that the aforementioned officials received overly-harsh sentences and were, at heart, “good people.” Why have many Shale Countians expressed support for community leaders who have corrupted elections, embezzled development aid and abused positions of authority? Through what processes have they developed socio-cultural identifications with officeholders? This presentation will explore not only how elites have cultivated popular support among residents who have been disadvantaged by malfeasance, but why their tenure endures even in the face of discontent. Drawing on nine months of ethnography, 40 in-depth interviews and archival and historical research, I will argue that elites mobilize support and suppress citizen activism through five interrelated processes: First, by personalizing politics; second, by using the considerable resources at their disposal in order to mobilize bias in their favor; third, by conveying criticisms directed against them as attacks on Appalachia itself; fourth, by using threats of violence in order to precipitate an environment of fear; and fifth, by using what Charles Tilly calls “clandestine kicks and invisible elbows” in order to wear down activist citizens.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Philip Lewin is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Florida Atlantic University. His research examines the dynamics of persistent poverty, political participation and environmental exploitation in Central Appalachia.
THE SOCIAL STRUCTURE OF LOCAL POLITICS IN AN APPALACHIAN COMMUNITY: PERSONALISM PATRONAGE AND COERCION
“Local elites” have played a prominent role in fomenting poverty and inequality across much of Appalachia. Nowhere does this hold truer than in “Shale County,” wherein the local government takes the form of a corrupt and nepotistic spoils system. An FBI probe that began during the early 2000s, for example, resulted in the conviction of more than 50 local officials for malfeasance. Despite this corruption, elites have cultivated a surprising level of popular support. Many Shale Countians felt that the aforementioned officials received overly-harsh sentences and were, at heart, “good people.” Why have many Shale Countians expressed support for community leaders who have corrupted elections, embezzled development aid and abused positions of authority? Through what processes have they developed socio-cultural identifications with officeholders? This presentation will explore not only how elites have cultivated popular support among residents who have been disadvantaged by malfeasance, but why their tenure endures even in the face of discontent. Drawing on nine months of ethnography, 40 in-depth interviews and archival and historical research, I will argue that elites mobilize support and suppress citizen activism through five interrelated processes: First, by personalizing politics; second, by using the considerable resources at their disposal in order to mobilize bias in their favor; third, by conveying criticisms directed against them as attacks on Appalachia itself; fourth, by using threats of violence in order to precipitate an environment of fear; and fifth, by using what Charles Tilly calls “clandestine kicks and invisible elbows” in order to wear down activist citizens.
