De Rotterdamse zorg om de cholera in 1866 en 1867: De Swaans theoretisch model van collectieve actie getoetst

Samenvatting

Abram de Swaan (1988) developed a model in which Norbert Elias's figuration sociology & elements of welfare economy are linked into a model of collective action that offers an explanation for actions against social developments that do not immediately affect the actors. Although De Swaan uses the 19th-century struggle against cholera in the Netherlands as one of the prime examples of his theory, it is argued that the 1866/67 Rotterdam cholera epidemics were not characterized by collective action at all. The historical context & development of the epidemics are detailed, followed by an analysis of the short- & long-term measures taken to prevent further spreading or recurrence of the disease. It is found that, because few members of the upper class were affected by the epidemics & most members of lower classes felt threatened rather than heartened by tentative hygienic measures taken by the city council, influential collective action was virtually absent; further, the measures that were taken (eg, redistribution of drinking water) were motivated by financial rather than other factors. 2 Tables, 1 Map, 15 References. Adapted from the source document.