Abstract
Vigilantism against political dissent is a common phenomenon which provokes intense reactions from a number of social sectors. But what shape do these reactions take? Two competing models, crystallized simplicity and fluid complexity, make differing predictions about the dimensionality of issues, social grouping, and temporal dynamics of public concern. Issue dimensions, sectoral clustering, and change of opinion over time are examined with data on counterinsurgent vigilantes in the Philippines. Seven dimensions of opinion were observable: displacement, unrepresentativeness, terror, elite mobilization, extralegality, grievance nonredress, and destabilization. With respect to these seven issue dimensions, social sectors fell into five coalitional clusters: counterinsurgent functionaries, lumpen class, peace and justice coalition, legal lobby, and populist organizations. Most sectors became alienated from the vigilantes over time and polarization occurred on the issues of displacement, unrepresentativeness, and grievance nonredress. The superiority of the fluid complexity model is suggested.
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