THE MAINSTREAM-GRASS-ROOTS DIVIDE IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL MOVEMENT - ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS IN WASHINGTON-STATE

Objective. Observers of environmental politics have noted a division b etween mainstream national and grassroots environmental groups. This s tudy attempts to determine whether a similar split in the movement can be observed at the state level. Methods. Data from a 1989 survey of 7 3 environmental groups in Washington State are analyzed. A distinction is made between institutionalized groups that regularly testify at th e state legislature and grassroots groups that do not. Analysis focuse s on environmental groups' structural characteristics, use of politica l resources, and choice of political activities. Results. Difference o f means tests indicate that there are systematic differences between i nstitutionalized and grassroots groups. The former have more members a nd larger paid staffs, derive more of their funding from other organiz ations, and are more bureaucratized. Second, principal components fact or analysis reveals three kinds of political resources: mobilization r esources, expertise, and organizational assets. Environmental groups r ely on the first two more than on the last; grassroots groups are espe cially reliant on mobilization resources. Finally, legit analyses indi cate that mobilization resources are positively related to the use of public outreach activities while expertise and organizational assets t end to be positively related to conventional political activities. Con clusions. These findings suggest that the division within the environm ental movement exists within Washington State and structures the cours e of environmental politics within the state.