“I don't really want to be associated with the self-righteous left extreme”: Disincentives to participation in collective action

Avelie Stuart,Ngaire Donaghue,Emma F. Thomas

doi:10.5964/jspp.v6i1.567

Abstract

This paper considers collective action non-participation by people sympathetic but not committed to participating in actions for social change (‘sympathisers’). We conducted a thematic analysis of open-ended written accounts of the barriers to participating in sustained collective action (N = 112), finding that people can be reluctant to engage in some types of collective action. Participants wrote about the potential for detrimental consequences resulting from association with ‘protesters’, concern that they may be undermined by ‘extreme’ fringes of a movement, ambivalence about the visible performance of group normative behaviours (specifically, protesting), and trepidation about ‘loss of self’ within a group. We discuss the findings in relation to theory on social (dis)identification, social (dis)incentives, and identity performances, arguing that inaction does not necessarily stem from apathy. Rather, people may engage in motivated inaction – that is, active avoidance of some types of actions, or from affiliations with particular groups, as a response to negative inferences about the legitimacy or efficacy of some forms of collective action. Practical strategies are suggested for groups and individuals, including the potential for people to take actions for social change independently of a formally organised movement.

Highlights

In order to maintain a healthy democracy, people need to be invested in the functioning of their society and mindful of their impact on other people and the environment
On the basis of these characteristics, the sample can be described as comprised of people who have had some involvement in collective action, or as sympathisers of social change
This study considered how inferences made about what is required for one to be involved in collective action, or a member of a collective action group, shapes motivated inaction

Summary

Introduction

In order to maintain a healthy democracy, people need to be invested in the functioning of their society and mindful of their impact on other people and the environment. Most of the people who say they care about the social issues do not usually participate in these protests or take other collective actions. This study instead asks people, who have a self-reported interest in social change, why they hold reservations about participating in actions for social change. The survey asked people a series of questions including on their thoughts about joining a collective or group to bring about social change, Stuart, Thomas, & Donaghue and their reservations and concerns about participating in coordinated group actions to bring about change. The more common reservations about participation were: 1) a tension between agreeing with the social cause but not agreeing with the actions taken by some groups, around more vocal protesting; 2) a fear of being associated with people who do not have the best intentions at heart The more common reservations about participation were: 1) a tension between agreeing with the social cause but not agreeing with the actions taken by some groups, around more vocal protesting; 2) a fear of being associated with people who do not have the best intentions at heart (e.g. "extremists" or “professional protesters”); 3) a concern that by becoming a member of a collective they might lose their autonomy and their ability to be effective

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Conclusion