Resistance and Rebellion: Lessons from Eastern Europe (Studies in Rationality and Social Change)

Studies in Rationality and Social Change

by Roger D. Petersen

Resistance and Lessons from Eastern Europe explains how ordinary people become involved in resistance and rebellion against powerful regimes. The book provides a detailed theoretical treatment of the process that pushes and pulls individuals into risk-laden roles. It also reconstructs Lithuanian social networks of the 1940s, through extensive interviews, to illustrate and test the argument. The work conducts comparisons with several other Eastern European nations to show the breadth and depth of the approach. The book contributes to both the general literature on political violence, as well as the theoretical literature on collective action.

Genres: Politics

340 pages, Paperback

First published June 27, 1997

Reviews

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the defining features of Post-World War II history has been the increased number of resistance movements and rebellions against colonial powers or foreign occupiers. While the history of these movements has been well documented, no one has been able to give a solid answer as to how resistance movements and rebellions get started. That is, until now. In this fine work that combines historical rigor with social science inquiry, Mr. Petersen has developed a sound theory of how resistance movements and rebellions get started. Key factors such as resentment formation, focal-point mechanisms, status reward mechanisms, and cultural norms among those with low risk thresholds signal to more risk adverse citizens that an oppressive or foreign institution is weak and ready to fall. For those who have read Malcom Gladwell's book The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference, you'll recognize this as the theory of tipping games: as more people signal their willingness to resist oppression whether by humming nationalist songs on buses or graffiting public areas with nationalist phrases and slogans, and the more a regime fails to address this, the more people will begin to join them until things reach a tipping point into community based resistance or organized rebellion. However, this book was written a year before Mr. Gladwell's book and looks specifically at the case of Lithuanian resistance to Soviet and Nazi German occupation. It is filled with both intriguing historical facts and social science theories, all of them backed by interviews the author did with 40 people in Lithuania plus his own extensive research on and knowledge of the region. It is absolutely fascinating and I could see how applicable it was to America's occupation of Iraq and how that country fell into chaos in the immediate aftermath of the 2003 invasion based on the theories of this book. However, while this book is fascinating, it can be a tough slog at times. This is a book written by a social scientist for social scientists. The longest chapter, chapter 2, contains the most vital details of the author's theory, but it is also the toughest one to get through. While I think this book is a great read, those with but a passing interest in social science may want to pick up Mr. Gladwell's book instead. However, if you want to get into the nuts and bolts of tipping game theories, I highly recommend this book to you.