Repression and Political Participation of Iranian Pro-democracy Supporters around the 2013 Presidential Elections

• In Event: 030 - Section on Communication, Information Technologies, and Media Sociology Refereed Roundtable Session and Business Meeting
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: Table 07. Social Networks and Social Movements

Abstract

There is a long-standing debate about the impact of state repression. Several scholars concluded that it deters individuals from engaging in political participation, whereas others found it enhances activism. It has also been documented that it has a curvilinear effect, no effect, or leads to alternative pathways to express political discontent. However, the repression literature has largely ignored the entire repertoire of political participation. Using unique online survey data of Iranian Green Movement supporters, this study enhances our understanding of repression effects in three important ways. First, we investigate both perceived and experienced repression. Second, we properly distinguish online and offline realms, regarding both activism and repressive measures. Most importantly, all relevant forms of political participation are examined, ranging from protesting to voting. Our results reveal that perceived repression does not refrain supporters from protest behavior. In contrast, experienced repression sometimes matters, depending on the pathway: online repression reduces online activism, whereas offline repression did not influence offline protest participation. Interestingly, however it did negatively affect institutionalized pathways: supporters who intended to boycott the 2013 elections, rather than vote, had experienced more state repression.

Authors

• Ali Honari, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

• Jeroen Voerknecht, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

• Jasper Muis, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam