Community Influence Systems: Structure and Change

To date, research on community influence systems reflects a heavy emphasis on structure, neglecting the processes of change. In this paper an analysis of six community case studies reveals the functional relationship between the demographic and economic institutional base of the community and the structure of the influence system. Rapid population growth is associated with a diffuse distribution of influence. Absentee-owned and operated businesses are associated with an absence of an integrated influence system. Finally, the rapid expansion of the community's economic base is associated with the development of competing power cliques. Thus, change in the organization of a community's influence system can be seen to be related to changes in other dimensions of community structure.