PUBLIC-GOODS, ALIENATION, AND POLITICAL PROTEST - THE SANCTUARY MOVEMENT AS A TEST OF THE PUBLIC-GOODS MODEL OF COLLECTIVE REBELLIOUS BEHAVIOR

This study refutes an underlying assumption of many analyses of political protest; the "fundamental alienation" of protesters from the governmental system and political institutions of their country. Using the Sanctuary Movement as a case study, this research tests a recent modification of rational choice theory of collective action. While many of the findings support those of the Public Goods Model of Rebellious Collective Behavior (Muller and Opp, 1986), they contradict its basic assumption; that protesters are politically alienated. Overall this study contributes to the expanding literature concerning perceptions of the legitimate repertoire of action available to a democratic citizenry.