Models of the Boston Anti-Busing Movement: Polity/Mobilization and Relative Deprivation

Polity/mobilization theorists argue that social movements grow out of struggles over membership in the polity. They also maintain that group solidarity facilitates the mobilization process. Relative deprivation theorists argue that feelings of deprivation account for social movement participation. Data on the Boston anti-busing movement provide support for both theories. Based on this finding, a model is developed that incorporates both sets of factors.