Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/302742 
Year of Publication: 
2024
Series/Report no.: 
CESifo Working Paper No. 11257
Publisher: 
CESifo GmbH, Munich
Abstract: 
We propose a theory of protest dynamics with heterogeneous protest technology and intensity. The ability to mobilize online reduces the likelihood of coordination failures at both the extensive (engagement) and intensive (violence) margins. Social media can initially help launch massive protests, but then encourage radical factions to turn violent and drive out moderates. Using both online and offline data, we show that the 2018 Yellow Vest uprising in France followed such a crowd-in-then-crowd-out sequence: early online and offline mobilizations reinforced each other, but online discussions quickly radicalized, moderates left, and a handful of violent protesters took over the streets.
Subjects: 
protests
learning traps
crowding-out
violence
social media
NLP
JEL: 
D72
D74
L82
Z13
Document Type: 
Working Paper
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