The effects of politics on an ethnic enclave as a social movement.

摘要

This thesis traces the development of the Cuban ethnic enclave and the formation of social movement organizations. The research mobilization perspective was used to analyze the conditions of the ethnic enclave market economy, the prior socioeconomic status of Cuban emigres, and the political adaptation of the Cuban community of Miami, Florida. The research was based on historical and sociological literature as well as observations and interviews of Cuban-American leaders, conducted within a ten-day span on site and within the enclave of Miami, Florida.The findings indicate that the prior socioeconomic status gave a basis of education and skills upon which to construct and promote a prosperous open market economy within an ethnic enclave. The ethnic enclave has consistently employed an enclave workforce reducing numbers of Cuban unemployment and strengthening the culture, heritage, and language within the community. Moreover, the political adaptation process led to the development of social movement organizations whose lobbying skills have brought government funding toward programs designed to create opposition to the Castro regime.