The 2011 Indignés/Occupy Movements in France and Ireland: An Analysis of the Causes of Weak Mobilisations

Abstract

In 2011 Occupy movements were set up in France and in Ireland but aside from some initial displays of mobilisation, the movements enjoyed very limited success. Some commentators wondered why there was such a difference between the level of protest in these countries compared to what was taking place in others such as Greece and Spain. The authors argue that the reasons for the weak level of mobilisation in France and in Ireland are related to the cumulative effects of external and internal factors. In terms of external factors, the movements received very weak political support in both countries. In addition, the contrasting effect of the economic crisis and especially the fact that a significant proportion of the better-educated French youth were less unemployed or socially excluded than in most other European countries—notably Ireland—help to account for the movement's weakness, in France at least. Internal factors also played a key role. In France as in Ireland, the movements were profoundly varied and sociologically divided. Activists were unable to agree on clear and unambiguous policies and guidelines and they defended with vigour autonomous modes of action that quickly isolated them. In the end, the accumulation of these handicaps did not allow the mobilisations to develop.