Reemphasizing rational choice in community mobilization: comparing case studies of mining in Southern Perú

Abstract

ABSTRACT This research examines the influence of key social movement theories – rational choice (as measured by interests), resource mobilization (RM), and political opportunity structures (POS) – in mobilization by local communities responding to mining in southern Perú. The selected cases are similar in many respects, but reveal divergent mobilizations, with a high level of protest against the Tía María mine, and low mobilization (with negotiation) in response to the Quellaveco mine. Extensive interviews and process tracing reveal that all of the social movement theories play a role in affecting the level of mobilization (the ‘synthetic model’), but that RM and POS are largely a function of rational choice (interests). These interests are represented by communities’ judgment of the socioeconomic costs and benefit of mining, as well as their perceptions of risk. The paper’s main theoretical takeaway is an argument for reemphasizing rational choice in evaluations of social movement theories, particularly in the context of mining in Perú.