Social Movements, Protest Methods, and Government Responses in Contentious Politics

Claim

A demand that someone do, stop, or change something.

Contention

Making claims that affect someone else's interests.

Collective action

People working together toward a shared goal.

Politics

Activities involving government, power, and public decisions.

Contentious politics

People acting together to make demands involving government.

Performance

One recognizable action used to make a claim, such as a march.

Repertoire

The set of actions a group knows how to use, such as marches, strikes, and petitions.

Campaign

Connected actions supporting a goal over time.

Modular performance

An action different groups can reuse for different causes, such as a sit-in.

Political opportunity structure

Political conditions that create openings or barriers for people making demands.

Political regime

The system of rule and relationships between government and political groups.

Brokerage

Connecting previously separate groups.

Diffusion

Spreading ideas or tactics.

Coordinated action

Groups organizing their actions together.

Social appropriation

Existing organizations become organizing bases.

Boundary activation

"Us versus them" divisions become stronger.

Certification

An authority recognizes a group.

Identity shift

Participants develop a different shared identity.

Competition

Groups compete for influence.

Escalation

Confrontation intensifies.

Radicalization

Goals or methods become more extreme.

Repression

Punishment or force to stop opposition.

Surveillance

Monitoring activists and their activities.

Censorship

Blocking information or criticism.

Restrictions

Limiting where, when, or how groups act.

Co-optation

Offering leaders benefits or positions to reduce opposition.

Concessions

Meeting some demands to reduce conflict.

Legal mobilization

Using courts.

Washington marches

National demonstrations.

Seasonal campaigns

Concentrating activity during a set period.

Disruptive occupations

Sit-ins, roadblocks, and building takeovers.

Government capacity

How well government carries out decisions and controls its territory.

Democracy

Broad, equal political participation with protected rights and government accountability.

Undemocratic rule

People have limited influence and fewer protected political rights.

High-capacity democracy

Strong government with broad political rights.

Low-capacity democracy

Political rights exist, but enforcement is weak.

High-capacity nondemocracy

Strong government with limited political rights.

Low-capacity nondemocracy

Weak government with limited political rights.

Key properties of political opportunity structures

1. Multiple centers of power. 2. Openness to new groups. 3. Unstable political alliances. 4. Influential allies. 5. Repression or support for organizing. 6. Changes in these conditions.

Contained contention

Established groups use accepted ways of making demands.

Transgressive contention

New challengers enter or groups challenge accepted boundaries.

Transgressive

New challengers enter or groups challenge accepted boundaries.

Democracy and protest

The general relationship is positive: democratic freedoms make open protest easier.

Hybrid regime

A political system mixing democratic and authoritarian features.

Authoritarian rule

Power is concentrated, and opposition faces restrictions.

Polarization

Political groups become deeply divided and hostile.

Lethal conflict

Conflict involving deadly violence.

Elite-directed contention

Collective action organized or guided by powerful leaders.

Discriminatory legalism

Applying laws selectively to hurt opponents and protect allies.

How democracies die

Democracy can weaken gradually when elected leaders undermine courts, the press, fair competition, and limits on their power.

Contention in hybrid regimes

Some political participation is allowed, but restrictions are uneven.

Why polarization matters

When opponents become enemies, compromise becomes harder and people may excuse unfair treatment of the other side.

Contentious interaction

The back-and-forth actions of challengers, opponents, and authorities.

Collective action problem

People want a shared benefit but avoid helping because participation takes time, money, or risk.

Free rider

Someone who benefits from others' efforts without contributing.

Selective incentives

Give participants benefits nonparticipants do not receive.

Shared identity

Make people feel responsible for their group.

Social networks

Friends and trusted contacts encourage participation.

Leadership

Organizers provide direction and clear tasks.

Lower participation costs

Transportation, childcare, or online options make joining easier.

Belief in success

People join when they think their effort matters.

Resource mobilization

Gathering and using what a group needs to act.

Political identity

A shared group identity people use when making political claims.

Identity claim

Who we are.

Standing claim

Recognition.

Program claim

Desired change.

Coordination

Act together.

Capacity

Government ability.

What is the difference between Diffusion and Brokerage

Brokerage refers to the role of specific actors or networks in connecting otherwise disconnected groups, resources, or ideas, while diffusion refers to the process by which elements of a movement (tactics, frames, ideologies) spread across actors, groups, or regions.

What is the relationship between contentious politics and political regimes.

Contentious politics and political regimes are mutually shaping forces: regimes determine the scope, methods, and likelihood of political contention, while contention can pressure regimes toward reform, stability, or transformation.

Surveillance

To monitor and influence public opinion, track political opponents, and maintain social control.

Examples of Rapid Political change

Revolutions, military coups, major crises, and Mass movements.

Three mechanisms

Brokerage, diffusion, and Coordinated Action

Mechanisms that can extend or thwart contentious episodes

Social Appropriation, Boundary activation, certification, Identity Shift, Repression and Social Control, Competition, Escalation, and Radicalization.