This paper will introduce the Mexican American labour organizer Cesar Chavez to the reader. Since he was an important and inspiring person for the marginalized labour movement in the United States in the 1960s and 70s, his organization United Farm Workers Organization Committee (UFWOC), his achievements, beliefs and methods will be closely examined in this paper. His understanding of social change and shifting the power relations between workers and employers was closely linked with nonviolent action. Furthermore, the reasons for the non-violent actions will be analysed through the Ration Action Theory.
The paper consists of two parts: The first part will elaborate on the problems for foreigner field workers, how the organization and the social worker movement La Causa could be a solution to that and the meaning of Chavez persona and his methods. The second part of the paper follows the research question: Why is non-violence an adequate strategy to fight injustice on the farm fields?
Table of Contents
Introduction
Farm workers in the U.S. during the 19th and 20th Century
The Worker Union
Cesar’s beliefs and objectives
Cesar´s understanding of nonviolence
Chavez and social change
Nonviolence upon the Rational Action Theory
Dissatisfaction and perceived personal influence
State sanctions
Social incentives and mass mobilization
Conclusion
Objectives and Themes
This paper examines the life and work of the Mexican American labor organizer Cesar Chavez, focusing on his leadership of the United Farm Workers Organization Committee (UFWOC). The primary research question addresses why non-violence served as an adequate strategy to fight injustice for farm workers during the 1960s and 1970s, evaluated through the lens of Rational Action Theory.
- Historical context of labor conditions for American farm workers
- The formation and development of the UFWOC and the concept of "La Causa"
- The strategic role of non-violence in labor struggles and civil rights
- Application of Rational Action Theory to explain collective behavior
- Social mobilization and the impact of spiritual and moral leadership
Excerpt from the Book
Cesar’s understanding of nonviolence
The commitment to nonviolence of the Union was the essential constant, facilitating the success of the worker union. The purpose of nonviolence will be further explained.
The use of force is the threat or infliction of physical injuries and the basis for exercising power and domination (Max Weber in Scherr 2006: 112). Violence or the use of force is to differentiate in “physical violence”, "psychological violence" and “structural violence”. Structural violence means the limitation of access to resources and opportunities for free speech. This is intended to emphasize that individuals can also be impaired in their physical and psychological integrity by social structures through body-related violence (idem).
Throughout his life, Chavez avoided academic theorizing, preferring instead to emphasize on actions that provide concrete social change. For this reason, he rarely said a word about nonviolence as a philosophy (Maya 2019: 613). But Chavez’s distrust with theories of elites and professionals disconnected from the lived realities of farmworkers did not prevent him from practicing them. “He clearly thought injuring or killing people and damaging or destroying property counted as violence” (Maya 2019: 611). Threats, name-calling, and even feelings of anger were also included in his definition of violence.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: This section introduces Cesar Chavez as a key figure in the Latin-American labor movement and outlines the paper's goal of exploring his non-violent strategy against injustice.
Farm workers in the U.S. during the 19th and 20th Century: This chapter details the miserable working and living conditions faced by migrant farm workers, providing the necessary historical backdrop for the labor movement.
The Worker Union: The text explains how Chavez’s personal background and connections with figures like Fred Ross led to the creation of the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA), later evolving into the UFWOC.
Cesar’s beliefs and objectives: This chapter explores Chavez's personal character, his spiritual dedication to "La Causa," and his inclusive approach to organizing a diverse workforce.
Cesar´s understanding of nonviolence: This section defines Chavez's specific interpretation of violence and non-violence, influenced by his study of pacifists and Catholic social teachings.
Chavez and social change: The chapter defines the concept of social change and analyzes how Chavez's work successfully gave a voice to marginalized farm workers.
Nonviolence upon the Rational Action Theory: This theoretical section applies Rational Action Theory to analyze the costs, benefits, and incentives that led to the adoption of non-violent protest.
Dissatisfaction and perceived personal influence: This subsection examines how Chavez channeled worker dissatisfaction into organized political and spiritual strength.
State sanctions: This subsection discusses the various forms of repression farm workers faced and how Chavez's non-violent strategy aimed to avoid negative state sanctions.
Social incentives and mass mobilization: This subsection explores how emotional attachment, social networks, and community spirit were crucial for effective mass mobilization.
Conclusion: The final chapter summarizes Chavez’s legacy as a labor leader and reiterates that non-violence was the most effective, morally accepted strategy for the labor Union.
Keywords
Cesar Chavez, labor movement, UFWOC, non-violence, social change, Rational Action Theory, farm workers, La Causa, civil rights, mass mobilization, strikes, boycotts, social justice, California, labor history.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper explores the role of Cesar Chavez as a labor organizer and analyzes why his non-violent strategy was effective in the context of the American farm worker movement in the 1960s and 70s.
What are the central themes discussed?
The core themes include labor conditions, the formation of the United Farm Workers Organization Committee, the philosophy of non-violence, and the application of Rational Action Theory to social movements.
What is the central research question?
The research asks: Why was non-violence an adequate strategy to fight injustice on the farm fields?
Which scientific method is utilized in the analysis?
The author uses Rational Action Theory as a theoretical framework to explain individual and collective behavior within the Union by weighing costs (constraints) and benefits (opportunities).
What does the main body cover?
The main body covers the historical working conditions of farm workers, the evolution of Chavez's leadership, the application of his non-violent philosophy, and a theoretical analysis of why this approach proved successful.
Which keywords define this work?
Key terms include Cesar Chavez, labor movement, UFWOC, non-violence, social change, Rational Action Theory, and farm workers.
How did Chavez influence the Union's approach to the Vietnam War era?
Chavez emphasized that turning to violence would only harm the poor and that maintaining a non-violent struggle was essential for moral legitimacy and to avoid negative state sanctions.
What role did fasting play in Chavez's leadership?
Fasting served as a spiritual, psychological, and political tool to rededicate the Union members to non-violent tactics and to highlight the seriousness of their commitment to "La Causa."
How did Chavez deal with internal dissent regarding the use of violence?
Chavez strongly insisted on peaceful methods even when faced with violence from growers, arguing that true justice requires reconciliation and that violence would undermine the movement's goals.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Sophia Khatri (Autor:in), 2020, Cesar Chavez. Leader, Organizer and Mexican American Hero in Labour History, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/996793
