Protest Dynamics and Social Change

Session Submission Type: Full Paper Panel

Session Description

This panel examines the intricate dynamics of protests and their broad social impacts. We aim to explore a range of themes, from the bystander effects of protests, the internal mechanisms of radicalization, the evolution of movements post-success, the implications of state repression on political trust, to the effects of social unrest on democratic norms. These studies collectively offer a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted role of protests in shaping political landscapes and social behavior.

At the core of this panel is an exploration of how protests, as powerful social phenomena, interact with various societal elements. The first paper delves into the influence of protests on bystanders, revealing how witnessing events like climate strikes can reshape public opinion and behavior. This ties into the second paper on the solidarity dilemma and negotiated radicalization within movements, examining the strategic use of violent tactics and their justification. Meanwhile, the third paper shifts focus to the sustenance of movements, particularly post-success challenges and the autonomy of movement leaders, which is crucial for continued mobilization and effectiveness.

The panel also addresses state responses to social movements, along with intended and unintended consequences. The fourth paper researches the impact of state repression and highlights how such actions can erode political trust and alter electoral behaviors, particularly in democracies. Complementing this, the last paper on Chile's protests examines how massive demonstrations, especially when met with state violence, can shift public attitudes toward democracy, influenced by elite messaging. Together, these presentations underscore the complex interplay between protest actions, state responses, and the broader societal and political repercussions. This panel not only contributes to academic discourse but also offers valuable insights for policymakers and activists engaged in the dynamics of social change.

Sub Unit

• Division 11: Comparative Politics

Individual Presentations

• Does Protest Affect Bystanders? Evidence from a Field Experiment - Violeta Haas; Daniel Bischof, Aarhus University; Felix Hartmann, Copenhagen Business School; Macartan Humphreys, WZB; Heike Klüver, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin; Lukas Frederik Stoetzer, University Witten/Herdecke

• Solidarity Dilemma and Negotiated Radicalization in Mass Mobilizations - Samson Yuen, Hong Kong Baptist University; Francisca Castro, International Security and Development Center

• After Success: What Sustains Social Movements? Evidence from Argentina - Ana Sofia Elverdin, Yale University

• The Impact of State Repression on Political Behavior amid Social Unrest - Ignacio Urbina, Stony Brook University; Sebastian Rivera

• Social Unrest, Elite Cues and Changing Democratic Norms: Evidence from Chile - Isabella Randle; Jaime Lindh, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chair

• Giancarlo Visconti University of Maryland, College Park

Discussants

• Omar Garcia-Ponce George Washington University

• Krzysztof Krakowski King’s College London