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Effective for Whom? Ethnic Identity and Nonviolent Resistance

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  • MANEKIN, DEVORAH
  • MITTS, TAMAR

Abstract

A growing literature finds that nonviolence is more successful than violence in effecting political change. We suggest that a focus on this association is incomplete, because it obscures the crucial influence of ethnic identity on campaign outcomes. We argue that because of prevalent negative stereotypes associating minority ethnic groups with violence, such groups are perceived as more violent even when resisting nonviolently, increasing support for their repression and ultimately hampering campaign success. We show that, cross-nationally, the effect of nonviolence on outcomes is significantly moderated by ethnicity, with nonviolence increasing success only for dominant groups. We then test our argument using two experiments in the United States and Israel. Study 1 finds that nonviolent resistance by ethnic minorities is perceived as more violent and requiring more policing than identical resistance by majorities. Study 2 replicates and extends the results, leveraging the wave of racial justice protests across the US in June 2020 to find that white participants are perceived as less violent than Black participants when protesting for the same goals. These findings highlight the importance of ethnic identity in shaping campaign perceptions and outcomes, underscoring the obstacles that widespread biases pose to nonviolent mobilization.

Suggested Citation

  • Manekin, Devorah & Mitts, Tamar, 2022. "Effective for Whom? Ethnic Identity and Nonviolent Resistance," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 116(1), pages 161-180, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:cup:apsrev:v:116:y:2022:i:1:p:161-180_12
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    Cited by:

    1. Freitas Monteiro, Teresa & Prömel, Christopher, 2024. "Local far-right demonstrations and nationwide public attitudes toward migration," Discussion Papers 2024/3, Free University Berlin, School of Business & Economics.
    2. Erica Chenoweth & Kathleen Gallagher Cunningham, 2023. "Guest Editors’ introduction: Nonviolent resistance and its discontents," Journal of Peace Research, Peace Research Institute Oslo, vol. 60(1), pages 3-8, January.
    3. Thomas Zeitzoff & Grace Gold, 2024. "Cyber and contentious politics: Evidence from the US radical environmental movement," Journal of Peace Research, Peace Research Institute Oslo, vol. 61(1), pages 134-149, January.

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