Reading Is How a Number of Factors

¶ … reading is how a number of factors expressly related to power can account for quiescence in an exploitative situation in which one may otherwise think there should be revolt. This theme was widely discussed in the first chapter of this book, and contends that the exploitive nature of power can best be understood by its three dimensions. The first dimension relates to changing the behavior of the repressed, the second dimension is a mobility of bias, and the third dimension is a pervasion of power in a variety of cognitive, social and political constructs so that the oppressed cannot even conceive of rebellion. There are also various mechanisms that account for the assertion of power for some and the repression of power of others related to factors such as language, voting, and the inclusion and exclusion of people and ideas in social institutions.

The author's main usage of evidence to marshal this theme is a prolonged case study regarding the Appalachian region of the United States, which spans approximately from parts of Georgia to territory in New York. By tracing the historical roots of this area, the author explicates the various factors that are essential in obtaining a favorable balance of power for an elite group which is based on the exploitation of commoners. One of the principle facts about the Appalachian example that directly buttresses the themes of chapters two and three in this book is that it involves colonization. Colonization is one of the most important facets of this establishing power over others, because it provides an environment in which new social, political, and economic practices can be implemented. Thus, the reader is able to understand from the beginning of westernized history in this era the factors related to the three dimensions of power as they actually unfold.

However, the author also augments this information regarding the history of the Appalachian region by beginning with some basic facts about this area in contemporary times. The Appalachian region has always been valued due to its fertility; it provides a substantial amount of natural resources (such as coal) to the rest of the country, and is the site of fairly lucrative industry. As such, it is sought after by those who were able to empower themselves economically at the expense of the larger population which labors within that industry to support the wealth of others.

After explaining how all of the factors in the three dimensions of power correlate to the contemporary situation in the Appalachian region, the author provides a fairly comprehensive history of the colonization which took place in that region and created a situation in which there are the empowered and the powerless. The specific factors that took place in the Appalachian that contributed to such a situation in its present incarnation were various facets of industrialization which included a move towards urbanization and economic ramifications, the formal partitioning of land to serve industry, a subsequent "structuring of inequalities" (Author, p. 25) based on that acquisition, and additional political and social machinations.