Repression, Response, and Contained Escalation Under "Liberalized" Authoritarianism in Jordan

Abstract

Studies of repression's effects on mobilization overwhelmingly focus on how severe repression affects the volume of protest, overlooking how activists perceive and experience a range of repressive tactics and how their tactical adaptations to this repertoire produce broader patterns of contention. This study therefore identifies repression's variegated forms and movements' corresponding responses using fifty-seven interviews with reform-oriented activists in Jordan, a "liberalized" authoritarian state, obtained in 2011. The findings demonstrate that activists (1) transformed softer repression into valued opportunities for communication with officials, and (2) responded to harder forms by publicizing repression through protests and their alliance networks, which persuaded the image-conscious regime to temper its tactics and prompted both sides to return to bargaining. This dynamic exemplifies a process of contained escalation, which helps to explain why Jordan's Arab Spring remained nonrevolutionary. I conclude by discussing the implications for studies of repression and response in illiberal contexts.

When Does Diffusing Protest Lead to Local Organization Building? Evidence from a Comparative Subnational Study of Russia’s “For Fair Elections” Movement

“…This process is seldom studied outside of Western liberal democracies. Moreover, the few existing comparative works (e.g., Tarrow and Tilly 2007) have not embraced the diversity of authoritarian regimes and thus often equate nondemocratic rule with closed authoritarianism (Moss 2014), glossing over more subtle but causally important differences. Bringing in the framework of varieties of authoritarianism can thus help to move the debate forward.…”

From ‘the effect of repression’ toward ‘the response to repression’

“…My conclusion is that, although the existing literature provides much insight into what state repression has done to political participation – mainly from the macro-level perspective – we understand little of how individuals respond to repression ( Linden and Klandermans, 2006 ; Moss, 2014 ; Zwerman and Steinhoff, 2005 ). To better understand and improve repression theories, it is necessary to open the blackbox of individuals’ decisions and choices in response to repression.…”

“…Movements can also utilize state repression and transform it into an opportunity ( Moss, 2014 ). For instance, by reframing or publicizing repression they can enhance moral incentives ( Kenney, 2001 ), creating ‘injustice frames’ ( Gamson et al, 1982 ), delegitimize the state ( Chang and Kim, 2007 ; Della Porta, 1995 ; Moss, 2014 ), or increase ideological commitments ( Postigo, 2010 ). Reform-oriented activists can exploit repression to negotiate with the government ( Moss, 2014 ).…”

Revolutions Against the State

“…In essence, dynamics of mobilization becomes the cause of revolution as much as the vehicle. The emphasis on examining the revolutionary episode itself is also a feature of much recent work that uses a mass mobilization schema (e.g., Austin Holmes 2012;Beissinger 2011;Harris 2012;Moss 2014;Weyland 2014).…”