Corporate versus community power: A Santa Barbara story

Abstract

Fifty years ago, a massive oil well blowout and subsequent oil spill triggered community resistance to oil company operations in Santa Barbara county and its surrounding waters. The county has had surprising success in regulating and reducing oil development. That success is due to the combined effects of grassroots mobilization, long-term organization, and the availability of state agencies and laws that legitimize community participation in corporate development approvals. Despite Santa Barbara's relative affluence, its ongoing battle with the oil industry may be useful for formulating a theory of community empowerment globally.