The Dam Situation on the Narmada An Analysis of the Narmada Bachao Andolan Social Movement
Date of Award
2004
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelors
Department
Social Sciences
First Advisor
Hernandez, Sarah
Keywords
Social Movement, India, Social, Displacement, Relocation, Tribal (Indigenous), Dams
Area of Concentration
Social Sciences
Abstract
In this thesis I investigate the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) social movement in India. Its participants seek to stop the construction of a large dam on the Narmada River. Four social movement theoretical perspectives guide my analysis: Political Opportunity Structure, Resource Mobilization, Frame Analysis, and theories on strategy. The discussion of political opportunities sheds light on the way that national and international politics shape the movement's success in achieving its goals. Resource mobilization theories permit me to illustrate the organization's structure and capacity to mobilize resources. An analysis of the movement's framing unravels its goals, ideology, and the kind of rhetoric that has permitted it to gain legitimacy. The analysis of strategies deepens the discussion of how the movement has been able to influence dam construction on the Narmada. The data regarding the movement was collected via secondary sources, primary sources such as the internet and NBA materials, and interviews with exiled movement participants who continue being active through an international movement network. I conclude that although the political opportunity structure was closed at the national level, the international POS was opening at the time of the movement's emergence. The NBA's primary resources are internal, however international alliances have played an important role in changing the international POS in the movement's favor. National networks have also contributed to its success. The NBA's frame has allowed the movement to gain some legitimacy as it fights against the counter movement's attempt to de-legitimize the movement. Strategies consist of non-cooperation at the village level and non-violent protest tactics at the national level. The NBA's strategies complement its framing technique and use of resources. These processes constantly interact. In addition to analyzing the movement through these perspectives, I took at it in terms of new social movement theory. I find that the NBA's unique characteristics distinguish it as new social movement fighting against unjust results of economic globalization.
Recommended Citation
Kell, Sarah, "The Dam Situation on the Narmada An Analysis of the Narmada Bachao Andolan Social Movement" (2004). Theses & ETDs. 3406.
https://digitalcommons.ncf.edu/theses_etds/3406
Rights
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