The politics of nonviolent mobilization: Campaigns, competition, and social movement resources

Abstract

Nonviolent resistance is considered one of the most effective methods of bringing about political change. Yet empirical research on how nonviolent campaigns emerge is limited. This article considers two sets of considerations which influence the strategic decision of a campaign to use nonviolent or violent methods: interactions with the state and campaign resources. Campaigns are concerned about the risk of repression from the state and are more likely to choose nonviolence when they believe the state will accommodate their demands. Open political competition signals likely accommodation. Campaigns’ nonviolent tactics are more effective when they possess social movement resources, though high levels of movement resources threaten the state. The argument implies political competition and social movement resources are associated with a higher likelihood of a campaign using nonviolence, though the relationship with social movement resources diminishes at high levels. Implications of the argument are tested on a sample of contentious campaigns from 1945 to 2006. Political competition and social movement resources are related as expected to the use of nonviolence. However, an extension shows these factors do not account for the advantage of nonviolent methods, particularly in triggering backlash protests, once a campaign is under way. An original ordinal measurement strategy for campaign methods suggests the intensity of violence and nonviolence are likewise unrelated to competition and resources.

Protest against Covid-19 containment policies in European countries

“…Though protest events are occasionally disallowed or terminated because of expected or actual violations of social distancing rules and regulations, most European governments fight the protest movement with more subtle political instruments. In turn, the existence of political competition in European countries renders it less likely that the protest movement turns to violent mobilization (Edwards, 2021), though there have of course been violent protest events, for example in the Netherlands in January and November 2021 but also in Belgium and Austria in November 2021 as governments impose restrictions on the unvaccinated and reimpose lockdown measures. 6 In Germany, the first major protest event took place on 28 March in Germany's capital Berlin.…”

Pressures From Home and Abroad: Economic Sanctions and Target Government Response to Domestic Campaigns

“…A growing consensus of research shows that nonviolent campaigns are generally more successful in garnering major concessions from regimes than violent campaigns (Chenoweth and Stephan 2012; Chenoweth and Lewis 2013; Edwards 2020; Stephan and Chenoweth 2008). One of the major explanations for this finding is that nonviolent campaigns can garner international support and attention in ways that empower citizens and limit the utility of a government’s repressive response (Edwards 2020; Stephan and Chenoweth 2008). Stephan and Chenoweth (2008) first hypothesized that economic sanctions, as a signal of international support, could help with external resources, sympathy, and the legitimacy of nonviolent campaigners, ultimately enhancing their likelihood of extracting major concessions from a repressive regime.…”

“…In particular, we lack enough research on the effects of sanctions on citizen campaigns, including their effects across both violent and nonviolent campaigns. A growing consensus of research shows that nonviolent campaigns are generally more successful in garnering major concessions from regimes than violent campaigns (Chenoweth and Stephan 2012; Chenoweth and Lewis 2013; Edwards 2020; Stephan and Chenoweth 2008). One of the major explanations for this finding is that nonviolent campaigns can garner international support and attention in ways that empower citizens and limit the utility of a government’s repressive response (Edwards 2020; Stephan and Chenoweth 2008).…”

Protest Against COVID-19 Containment Policies in European Countries

“…Though protest events are occasionally disallowed or terminated because of expected or actual violations of social distancing rules and regulations, most European governments fight the protest movement with more subtle political instruments. In turn, the existence of political competition in European countries renders it less likely that the protest movement turns to violent mobilization (Edwards, 2021), though there have of course been violent protest events, for example in the Netherlands in January and November 2021 but also in Belgium and Austria in November 2021 as its governments impose restrictions on the unvaccinated and re-impose lockdown measures. 6 In Germany, the first major protest event took place on March 28 in Germany's capital Berlin.…”