Fiestas and the Dynamics of Violent Collective Action: Evidence from Mexico

• In Event: Protest in Global Perspective

Abstract

Religious and civic festivals are important social, economic, and cultural events, potentially shaping the costs of collective violent action. This study examines the timing of religious \textit{fiestas} and mob lynching. Using historical and contemporary daily data on lynchings in Mexico, we find that despite the large crowds, the increased social capital, and a history of uprisings around this time, fiestas are associated with a significantly lower probability of lynching compared to other days of the year. This pattern is only present for fiestas with local meaning and does not vary much depending on time-availability. These findings are robust to different datasets and supported by evidence from Guatemala and Peru. In light of these findings, we posit that fiestas represent pivotal socio-cultural moments within public life, typically marked by a lower propensity for violence.

Authors

• Edgar Franco Vivanco, University of Michigan

• Jenny Guardado, Georgetown University