Joshua D. Freilich

Freilich's study of militias in various states advances the thesis that cultural factors play a greater role in militia formation than economic ones.

Freilich attempts to determine why some states have higher levels of militia activity than others. Focusing on the years 1994-1995, he finds that cultural factorsÑnot economic conditions--are related to levels of militia related activity. In particular, states with lower levels of female empowerment and higher levels of paramilitary culture were more likely to have more militia groups. Conversely, neither economic dislocation/social disorganization nor economic prosperity/social integration were related to the number of militia groups on the state level. These findings suggest that programs seeking to preempt militia formation by providing economic assistance will not be successful. Instead, such programs must confront cultural issues as well.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Structure and Ideology of the Militia Movement
3. History of the Militia Movement in Michigan
4. Social Movement Theories and the Rise of the Militia Movement
5. Explaining Higher Levels of Militia-Related Activities
6. Economic and Social Disorganization, Paramilitary Culture, and Militia Related Activities
7. Findings
8. Economics, Culture, and Militias
9. Discussion and Conclusions
   Appendices
   References
   Index