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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Candles in the wind: resisting repression in Liberia (1979-2003)
Author:Press, Robert M.ISNI
Year:2008
Periodical:Africa Today
Volume:55
Issue:3
Pages:3-22
Language:English
Geographic term:Liberia
Subjects:resistance
protest
political repression
1980-1989
1990-1999
External link:http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/africa_today/v055/55.3.press.pdf
Abstract:Scholars have been extending social-movement analysis beyond its base in the industrialized West to Latin America and Asia, but rarely to Africa. Social movements resisting repression in nondemocratic settings have usually had the help of external 'opportunities' or favourable circumstances. This study, however, examines a peaceful social movement in Liberia, a movement that resisted repression under two regimes, those of Samuel Doe (1980-1990) and Charles Taylor (1997-2003), advocating for human rights and democratic freedom without such 'opportunities'. How did this happen? The study finds four explanations: the formation of a microsocial movement with no formal leadership and only loosely connected strands of resistance, which were harder to control; a high level of commitment by participants; the skillful use of local media and international organizations to put pressure on the regime; and historical roots of resistance, especially in the 1970s. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum. [Journal abstract]
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