The Zald and Berger model of “bureaucratic insurgency” is assessed in light of data of the “modernist movement” in the Roman Catholic Church. Our historical case study of this movement produces evidence that generally supports the model but that also indicates the need for some important modifications. In particular, we find that the Zald and Berger propositions are appropriate only to thelaterstages of the modernist movement. The earlier stages of the movement's development appear to have been governed by an entirely different dynamic, a process whereby the conflict between organizational authorities and bureaucratic insurgents paradoxically produced resources for both groups. In an effort to organize these findings theoretically, we review several propositional frameworks that deal with the paradoxical, ironic aspects of authority/insurgent interaction. Finally, we synthesize these different perspectives into a single “dialectical” model that can be appended to the Zald and Berger model.