LIT 10 - Johnston, Radicalization and the Escalation of Political Conflict

Question 1

What are the two fundamental emotion management mechanisms in collective violence? Johnston

Answer 1

Fear abatement and anger spirals

Question 2

What is fear abatement? Johnston

Answer 2

Fear abatement is a social process that is particularly relevant at key points in mobilisation when the costs of participation are high. It involves the collective management and reduction of fear, even though the costs of participating in protests remain high.

Question 3

What are the two steps involved in fear abatement?

Answer 3

○The first step is when “early-riser” activists, who have a high threshold for fear, take part in small, symbolic actions to break the political silence that gives the regime legitimacy
.
○The second step is when protests progressively grow larger as more people participate due to the collective perception of safety in numbers and the apparent inability of the police to contain the protests
.

Question 4

What is an anger spiral? Johnston

Answer 4

An anger spiral is a process of escalating anger and violence that can occur during protests

Question 5

What is the difference between long-term anger and reflexive anger? Johnston

Answer 5

Long-term anger simmers in the background and motivates people to protest. Reflexive anger is a more immediate and intense response to injustice or threat that can lead to violence

Question 6

How can anger spirals lead to violence?

Answer 6

Anger spirals can lead to violence when protesters with a high propensity for violence provoke the police, leading to a cycle of escalating anger and violence.