The Ironies of Human Resource Mobilization by Neighborhood Associations

Abstract

This article explores the mobilization of human resources by sixty-one neighborhood associations in the Seattle area. Although support is generated for hypotheses that emphasize the importance of neighborhood composition, internal polity, association incentive systems, and communications channels, ironies of human resource mobilization are discovered and explained. Specifically, both newsletters and the value of residential property promote membership and discourage participation. The negative effect of newsletters is particularly evident for representative democracies in wealthy areas.