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SoSe 24: Contentious Politics in Post-Communism

Guram Kvaratskhelia

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Why do some social and political movements succeed in effecting or reversing change, while others gradually peter out? What political opportunities and threats are posed by enduring features of political systems for collective actors? And how are these affected by variable or temporal changes in political systems? Who participates in collective struggles and why? How do collective actors choose their tactics and strategies, and what role does diffusion and learning play in how collective actors pursue their goals? These are a sample of questions guiding the study of contentious politics, which aims to provide rigorous social-scientific explanations for various forms of collective political struggle, including, but not limited to, revolutions, social and political movements, strike waves, and nationalist mobilization. The central tenet of contentious politics literature is that comparing different forms of collective political struggle offers a more insightful understanding of their dynamics and functioning than considering each of them as distinct phenomena. The seminar introduces students to the conceptual apparatus and theoretical framework of contentious politics and empirical literature on popular contention in countries of the former Soviet Union after the disintegration of the Soviet Union. We will look at events such as “color revolutions” in Georgia, Ukraine, and Kyrgyzstan; the Maidan protests; 2011-2012 Russian protests, as well as environmental movements and movements for LGBTQI+ rights. The central goal of the seminar is to enable students to think rigorously about the multifaceted and complex nature of popular contention.

Active participation: Students can either write four short analytical texts (Path A) or do a presentation in front of the class (Path B). Path A involves submitting three short critical analyses (500 words each) of empirical research papers and one assessment of another student’s analysis. Path B provides students with an opportunity to choose a case study of their interest, apply concepts and methodologies of contentious politics research, and present their findings to the class. Path A is recommended for students who don’t aim to do the module exam in this class. close