Citation

Don Sherman Grant II, Wallace M. Am. J. Sociol. 1991; 96(5): 1117-1150.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1991, University of Chicago Press)

DOI

10.1086/229651

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Past research on violence in collective movements using the resource-mobilization perspective has focused almost exclusively on the instrumental role violence plays for "outsider" groups seeking political recognition. Little is known about the causes of violence among groups such as labor unions that are at least marginally incorporated into the polity. There have been no empirical studies of the determinants of strike violence in advanced countries during the post-World War II period when workers' interests have become "institutionalized." This article uses strike-level data from Ontario from 1958 to 1967 to examine the causes of strike violence. Strike violence is related to features of the sociopolitical context within which strikes occur, the legislative environment, the skill mix of striking workers, and of great importance, the strategies utilized by striking workers and the counter-strategies used by employers. In sum, violence is shown to be employed as a defensive measure after challenger groups have gained access to the polity.