Comparing situational dynamics of repression in the Black Lives Matter and Yellow Vest protests

IF 1.7 Q2 GEOGRAPHY

Regional Science Policy and Practice Pub Date : 2025-02-03 DOI:10.1016/j.rspp.2025.100182

Alexei Anisin

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

The Yellow Vest and Black Lives Matter movements were among the biggest protests in recent French and American history. This study traces different situational dynamics during clashes between activists and authorities including 11 variables on strategic fraternization attempts, repressive responses, and geospatial characteristics. Using Video Data Analysis (VDA), 165 cases are statistically analyzed. Results reveal that both movements encountered a repressive response to a similar extent, however, the Yellow Vests were more successful in establishing a positive dialogue with authorities. A much larger proportion of interactions in the YV protest also occurred in public squares which suggests that geospatial conditions, combined with activist strategies, may provide protesters with an advantage to potentially reduce the likelihood of experiencing state repression. These findings advance knowledge on protest behavior in contemporary urbanized contexts and reveal the necessity of considering strategic deliberations of activists analogous to urban layouts and spatial characteristics.

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来源期刊

Regional Science Policy and Practice GEOGRAPHY-

CiteScore

3.60

自引率

5.90%

发文量

期刊介绍： Regional Science Policy & Practice (RSPP) is the official policy and practitioner orientated journal of the Regional Science Association International. It is an international journal that publishes high quality papers in applied regional science that explore policy and practice issues in regional and local development. It welcomes papers from a range of academic disciplines and practitioners including planning, public policy, geography, economics and environmental science and related fields. Papers should address the interface between academic debates and policy development and application. RSPP provides an opportunity for academics and policy makers to develop a dialogue to identify and explore many of the challenges facing local and regional economies.