Mobilization Theory in Practice: The Great Strike of Zonguldak

Abstract

This article offers a novel reinterpretation of John Kelly’s mobilization theory through the lens of the Great Strike of Zonguldak (1990–91), a landmark event involving over 100,000 workers and their families in a 120-km march for justice and dignity. By drawing on 46 formal interviews, autobiographical accounts, documentary testimonies and an extensive review of national newspapers, the study explores how grassroots activism and union bureaucracy dynamically interacted to produce one of the most significant labour mobilizations in Turkish history. While Kelly’s model emphasizes the role of informal leadership in framing injustice and facilitating collective action, this study advances the theory by revealing the emergent and context-sensitive interplay between informal and formal leadership during contentious mobilizations. Integrating insights from Rick Fantasia and empirical critiques of Kelly’s framework, the article provides a refined perspective on grassroots dynamics and union structures, offering broader insights into labour mobilization processes across diverse socio-political contexts.