Political culture and community development in the Harbour Breton area

Carlson, Terry Maxwell (1973) Political culture and community development in the Harbour Breton area. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

A number of studies have suggested that Newfoundlanders have generally been unwilling to participate in self-help community activities. This dissertation examines the above contention by comparing the attitudes of "Activists" (those who have been involved in self-help community activities) and "Non-Participants" (those who have not been involved) in three south coast communities. From September to December 1972, 75 respondents in Harbour Breton, Belleoram and English Harbour West were interviewed in depth, using an open-ended interview schedule, and 144 questionnaires were administered to high school students. -- This dissertation contends that Activists and Non-Participants have generally distinct political cultures; the attitudes, beliefs and values of the great majority of Non-Participants not being conducive to community development. As a result, the small minority of Activists do not receive either sufficient cooperation or enough constructive criticism to maximize development. Members of the younger generation, who are most likely to contribute to self-help activities, are unlikely to remain in the Harbour Breton Area. Consequently, it is essential that some of the older Non- Participants change their attitudes and become more active while others lend greater support to the Activists.

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