CEU Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2012
| Author | Iakhnis, Evgeniia |
|---|---|
| Title | United We Stand, Divided We Fall: Centralization in Nonviolent Civil Resistance Movements |
| Summary | This thesis examines how the level of centralization affects the outcome of nonviolent civil resistance campaigns. The findings of the statistical analysis show that campaigns led by a coalition or an umbrella organization are more likely to succeed than movements with other organizational structures, while spontaneous movements have lower chances to achieve political transformation. A detailed analysis of two cases of nonviolent resistance, Romania from 1987-1989 and Bulgaria in 1989, explores the casual mechanisms that link different levels of centralization to the outcome of nonviolent campaigns. It reveals that the existence of a strong coalition at the head of a nonviolent campaign enables the movement to conduct effective negotiations, prevents disruption of nonviolent discipline, and presents a viable political alternative once the previous regime falls. In contrast, the spontaneous character of a movement undermines its ability to conduct effective negotiations, maintain nonviolent discipline, and create a viable alternative on the political arena. |
| Supervisor | Jenne, Erin K. |
| Department | International Relations MA |
| Full text | https://www.etd.ceu.edu/2012/yakhnis_evgeniya.pdf |
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