The Effect of Environmental Concerns and Governmental Incentives on Organized Action in Local Areas

In this article, the determinants of collective action on local issues are studied. A theoretical model is developed in which organized neighborhood action is a function of neighborhood environmental concerns, the social composition of residents, and political incentives available to the community. The model is tested using data collected from neighborhood associations. Concerns with potential neighborhood change increase the number of actions taken to influence decision makers. The more the political incentives allocated by the city government, the less likely is the association to engage in collective action. Political incentives are allocated to associations located in wealthy neighborhoods, and these associations are less active.