Social (Dis)Approval and Participation in Collective Action: Re-Evaluating the Linearity Assumption

• In Event: 593 - Regular Session. Social Movements: The Emergence and Outcomes of Protest

Abstract

How do social approval and social disapproval affect participation in collective action? Quantitative literature on collective action has generally assumed a positive and linear effect. But the assumption has not yet been subjected to a complete investigation. Such an investigation demands testing of a curvilinear relation, which in turn, requires survey data that includes at least three response categories. We use survey data on participation and non-participation of military personnel in a street demonstration in The Hague in 2011 to re-evaluate the linearity assumption. Statistical analyses suggest a curvilinear relation between social (dis)approval and participation. We explore three explanations for this curvilinear relation. Finally, we discuss implications of our findings and consider avenues for future research.

Authors

• Daniel Blocq, University of Wisconsin-Madison

• Marie-Louise Damen, VU University-Amsterdam