Grass-roots Organizations,Societal Control and Dissolution of Norms

Abstract

In recent times two trends have emerged in society. an increase in state control and collective consumption and a dissolution of traditional norms and values. These processes have led to the formation of various types of grass-roots organizations: single issue organizations, rural community organ izations, urban community organizations. organizations of oppressed cat egories and idealistic organizations A Danish survey of some 100 organ izations from three municipalities shows differences between structure, resources and activities of the organizations, and indicates how the processes mentioned have created the five types of grass-roots organizations The conclusion is that only organizations stressing new norms and alternative social institutions may create any long term changes.