Abstract
In the Winter 1987 edition of AHV, Luther Tweeten characterized the farm sector as personality. In that article, Tweeten addressed the dark side of that personality as it has been manifested through recent farm protest. This is a rejoinder. Its intent is to look more deeply at the farm personality and, by so doing, reject dark personality traits as the sole basis for farm activisim and ideology. The article suggests that there are two distinct personalities, one directed toward power and leadership and another disaffected and tempered to follow any mythology. The conclusion is that social scientists must not only confront myths but also confront displays of power that use myths for political gain.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Additional information
William P. Browne is Professor of Political Science, Central Michigan University. His major area of research is the agricultural and rural policy process but he has done previous work in urban and aging policy. In addition to numerous articles, he has published a series of five books on agriculture and rural policy, as well as the recently publishedPrivate Interests, Public Policy, and American Agriculture. In 1985–86 he was a visiting scholar with the Economic Research Service, USDA.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Browne, W.P. Personality as power: Reconsidering tweeten's sector argument. Agric Hum Values 4, 43–46 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01530501
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01530501