Threat and Local Organizational Infrastructures: The Social Movement Pathway to Safeguarding Democracy

• In Event: Resistance and Disruption II

Abstract

The appropriation of organizational resources and the deployment of disruptive protests have served to protect the social and economic rights of excluded social groups in a variety of contexts. In a period of growing authoritarianism and democratic retreat, social movement-type mobilization and disruption may be one of the key means for civil society to preserve the constitutional order. We focus on the case of Guatemala in fall 2023, where an election victory was threatened by political elites from final certification. A broad range of civil society, led by indigenous Mayan populations, launched a sustained, multi-month revolt until democratic order was restored. Disruptive collective action emerged in localities with higher levels of cultural, strategic, and experiential resources. Under conditions of widespread political threats, resourced localities may be able to maintain tactics of resistance and achieve favorable outcomes in defense of democracy.

Authors

• Sergio Miguel Cabrales Domínguez, Universidad Rafael Landivar

• Paul D. Almeida, University of California-Merced