¶ … technology, labor force engagement, labor productivity and poverty, there was quite a change in the mining industry in Central Appalachia which greatly affected the people living there. It is significant that from 1945 to 1965, labor force engagement and labor productivity steadily declined in this region. Subsequently, poverty definitely increased during this period as there were fewer men employed in what had traditionally been the most established industry in this region. It is very possible that the decline in men available in this industry coincided with increased technology. However, what was once a fairly stable industry slowly whittled down to one in which the residents of this region could no longer depend. It is also important to realize that this negative trend was also characterized by an increasing number of mines, which peaked in 1957 with 49 mines. As the number of mines was reduced again until the 1972, the labor force engagement and labor productivity increased as well, while poverty receded somewhat. Still, the overall trend that fewer men were employed in mining negatively impacted the economics of the local residents.
2. Gaventa characterizes the connection between culture and social stratification in Central Appalachia as a direct relationship. For instance, when alluding to the social stratification of the people in Clairfield, he discusses the fact that in the earliest post-World War II years the town actually had a theater...
However, when discussing the ensuing poverty in which the relative affluence in which these people were categorized in immediately after World War II declined to a state of penury, he references the fact that there was significantly less culture by stating there was no longer a theater (p. 126). Additionally, the fact that people in Central Appalachia embrace a culture in which they are small town people who must stick together and are relatively independent of society implies that they are considered marginalized by mainstream America. There is a lack of power attributed and accessible to the Central Appalachia residents, who are regarded as people in transition who need transportation to the ways (and culture of mainstream America) (p. 130).
3. The several reasons Gaventa provides for the failure of the National Miners Union organizing drive includes the harassment of individuals interested in working for the union -- and those from the outside that attempted to help them. These people were murdered, imprisoned and had their homes destroyed. This is a logical reason for failure especially when one considers the unity of the repressing power structure which included legal and law enforcement officials, as well as the controlling companies. Additionally, the "local elites" (p. 106) controlled communication (via the media to the outside world), which provided biased coverage and limited support to the outside. This is…
