BEYOND THE PALES OF BABYLON - THE IDEATIONAL COMPONENTS AND SOCIAL-PSYCHOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS OF RASTAFARI

While resource mobilization theory has been the dominant paradigm for the study of social movements in the last several decades, critics con tend that it is flawed because it glosses over the role of ideational elements in the development of such collective ventures. As a correcti ve to the weaknesses of this approach, we utilize a recently developed social psychological framework derived from the social constructionis t perspective and the new social movement literature to examine a non- western social movement primarily located in the Caribbean, Rastafari. Concepts used to analyze the Rastafari include social movement commun ity, framing, and collective identity. In directing attention to the s ymbolic beliefs and informal social processes of this group, we sugges t that both political and religious motivations shape the Rastafarians ' perceptions of the dominant order which they appose (i.e., Babylon). Attention is also directed to the Rastafarians' ability to refashion their language and interpretations of the world. This study, we argue, is significant because it contributes to international, historical, a nd/or comparative research of collective enterprises, which is essenti al to a move comprehensive understanding of social movements.