Abstract
ABSTRACTWhy do some people support peaceful demonstration and expression rights and others do not? This article focuses on individual-level opinions concerning the rights to peaceful demonstration and expression in 18 countries. Drawing on theories from social psychology and contentious politics, we argue that opinions about these rights are associated with a country's past experiences with nonviolent and violent dissent. A country's experiences with nonviolent protests are associated with more support for peaceful demonstration and expression rights. Conversely, past experiences with violent dissent are associated with less individual-level support of these rights. These past experiences can demonstrate the efficacy of collective action. Using multilevel modeling techniques, we find support for our argument when it comes to public opinion regarding the right to peaceful demonstration. Our argument serves as another pathway through which a country's past experiences with protest could influence the nature of current dissent and human rights within a state.
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