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From peaceful marches to violent clashes: a micro-situational analysis.
- Source :
- Social Movement Studies; Sep2016, Vol. 15 Issue 5, p515-530, 16p
- Publication Year :
- 2016
-
Abstract
- Recent studies point to the relevance of situational factors in the emergence of violence. This paper applies these insights to a systematic analysis of how and why peaceful protest marches transform into violent clashes. It focuses on the micro-situational patterns and emotional dynamics during protests. The exploratory study compares 20 peaceful and violent protests of the Global Justice Movement in the United States and Germany. It employs a triangulation of visual data with document data. The study relies on in-depth qualitative analysis, based on the principles of process tracing. Findings suggest that in those protests where violence emerges, a prior micro-situational pattern is systematically visible. The discussion of exemplary cases shows that two emotional phases precede the outbreak of violence. These phases emerge in a specific temporal danger zone of 1–3 h after the start of a protest. Further, specific triggering moments seem to prompt the outbreak of violence, like the breaking-up of police–protester lines, actors being outnumbered, or falling down. The emotional dynamic between protesters and officers during a protest likewise influences the intensity of violence and how violent situations end. Consequently, the paper suggests that actors need to go through a confrontational micro-situation in a demonstration in order to be able to use violence. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]
- Subjects :
- VIOLENCE
EMOTIONS
PUBLIC demonstrations
ANTI-globalization movement
ACTIVISM
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 14742837
- Volume :
- 15
- Issue :
- 5
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Social Movement Studies
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 118912051
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1080/14742837.2016.1150161