Coalitions of Crip Power Understanding Cooperative Behavior among Disability Interest Groups
Date
2020
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Producer
Director
Performer
Choreographer
Costume Designer
Music
Videographer
Lighting Designer
Set Designer
Crew Member
Funder
Rehearsal Director
Concert Coordinator
Advisor
Moderator
Panelist
Alternative Title
Department
Haverford College. Department of Political Science
Type
Thesis
Original Format
Running Time
File Format
Place of Publication
Date Span
Copyright Date
Award
Language
eng
Note
Table of Contents
Terms of Use
Rights Holder
Access Restrictions
Open Access
Terms of Use
Tripod URL
Identifier
Abstract
Disabled Americans constitute one of the largest oppressed minority groups in the country, yet remain the object of little attention by political scientists. Inspired by the critical role played by interest groups in the formation of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act, this research seeks to understand how several key factors affect the likelihood of cooperation between interest groups representing disabled interests. Such cooperation is increasingly important in an ever-growing interest group universe, and this research explores the influence of a group's size and its conception of its constituency on its cooperative tendency. Six interviews were conducted with interest group leaders in the disability policy domain as well as one out of domain interview conducted for contrast and comparison. Data supported the supposition that the larger a group the less likely it was to cooperate, as it may be able to accomplish its goals without the compromises inherent in cooperation. Groups were also more likely to cooperate in the presence of a superordinate constituency identity like "physical disabilities" or "the disabled community" suggesting that the creation and spread of such superordinate identities, particularly that of the disability community, may be an effective tactic in building legislative support in Washington.