News and Events
Swarthmore Alumni webinar
Dr. Lee Smithey, one of the co-editors of the Paradox of Repression and Nonviolent Movements, offered a webinar to alumni of Swarthmore College on February 26, 2019.
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The Psychology of the Paradox of Repression
Dr. Rachel MacNair, a contributor to the Paradox of Repression and Nonviolent Movements has offered two related blog posts to the Minds of the Movement blog at the International Center on Nonviolent Conflict. |
First review of the Paradox of Repression
As far as we know, the first review of our book, by Ayman Alsadawi, appears in this downloadable issue of Interface Journal for and about social movements. Volume 10, issue 1-2 |
Peace and Conflict Studies Professor Lee Smithey Explores the Use of Repression—and How It Can Backfire
Swarthmore College featured a story about The Paradox of Repression and Nonviolent Movements. By Kate Campbell November 13th, 2018 Lee Smithey, associate professor of peace & conflict studies and sociology, is a co-editor and contributor to a new book, The Paradox of Repression and Nonviolent Movements (Syracuse University Press, 2018), that offers an in-depth exploration of the use of repression in political arenas and its unintended effect of sometimes fanning the flames of nonviolent resistance. “The concept of backfire, or the paradox of repression, is widely understood to be fundamental to strategic nonviolent action, but it has not been fully investigated. It was work that needed to be done,” says Smithey, who in addition to writing and teaching about nonviolent resistance has also participated in peaceful protests. “Power is not only about repression but also about building public support.”The book, edited by Smithey and Lester Kurtz, a George Mason University sociology professor, is meant as a tool for scholars and activists to understand how repression works, as well as to study significant incidents when nonviolent activists took measures to help make repression a defining moment. For example: “When authorities are seen as attacking or disrespecting widely shared symbols, they may mobilize people in defense of shared collective identities,” write Smithey and Kurtz. The editors first wrote about the topic in 1999, but organizing for the new book began in 2009—bringing together diverse, global contributors to study how repression can energize nonviolent movements and how nonviolent activists have worked to manage repression in their favor. It includes the grassroots efforts of nonviolent resistance such as Women of Zimbabwe Arise, who bravely joined forces as “mothers of the nation” to stand against dictator Robert Mugabe. As they planned the book, Smithey and Kurtz organized a two-day writing retreat for the contributors to help build an integrated approach to the project. “It was intellectually exciting,” Smithey says. “We were committed early on to making this book a collaboration between academics and practitioners.” One practice the book’s authors explore is called repression management—enacted by withstanding or avoiding repression or by creating scenarios in which repression against nonviolent activists would more likely elicit a sense of public outrage (and ultimately support). One example, Smithey says, is the now-iconic photo of Ieshia Evans, who stood stoically in a flowing dress and faced a line of law enforcement officers in riot gear as she protested the shooting death of Alton Sterling. The photo, taken in downtown Baton Rouge, La., on July 9, 2016, quickly became a cultural touchstone. The Paradox of Repression and Nonviolent Movements also examines the psychological costs for agents of repression, elites’ attempts to avoid triggering the paradox of repression, repression of online activism, and the work of overcoming fear. “Repression is an attempt to demobilize nonviolent movements by sowing fear," Smithey says, "but activists can work together to overcome fear and continue to mobilize.” The International Center on Nonviolent Conflict hosted a webinar by Smithey and Kurtz on Nov. 15. Smithey will also offer an Alumni Council webinar on the book on Nov. 28. |
May the Excessive Force Be With You: How Activists Can Manage Repression to Win
The editors, Lee Smithey and Lester Kurtz, have written a post for the Minds of the Movement blog at the International Center on Nonviolent Conflict. Smithey and Kurtz focus on the potential for nonviolent activists to strategically manage repression, and they review the pepper spraying incident at the University of California at Davis to illustrate the concept. |
Watch: Smithey and Kurtz webinar on the Paradox of Repression
Watch Lee Smithey and Lester Kurtz talk about the Paradox of Repression book in webinar hosted by the International Center on Nonviolent Conflict. Read more.
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Watch: Lester Kurtz on the Paradox of Repression at the United States Institute of Peace
Watch Lester Kurtz talk about the Paradox of Repression and Repression Management at the United States Institute of Peace Global Campus |
Free webinar on the Paradox of Repression via ICNC Nov 15
The Paradox of Repression and Nonviolent MovementsPresented by Lester Kurtz and Lee Smithey |
Limited-time discount on The Paradox of Repression and Nonviolent Movements
Syracuse University Press has offered a limited-time discount of 30% until October 31, 2018. See the attached flyer that contains a discount code. |