Networks of Dissent: Social Leaders and Protest in an Autocracy

Johannes Buggle (), Max Deter () and Martin Lange ()
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Johannes Buggle: University of Innsbruck
Max Deter: Berlin School of Economics, University of Potsdam, CEPA
Martin Lange: ZEW Mannheim

No 87, CEPA Discussion Papers from Center for Economic Policy Analysis

Abstract: This paper examines how network ties between local social leaders influenced the diffusion of mass protests in an autocracy. We focus on the Protestant Church and the Peaceful Revolution in East Germany. To quantify the role of leader networks in protest diffusion, we compile biographical records of over 1,600 Protestant pastors, including their employment and education histories. Our findings reveal that network connections led to an increase in protest diffusion by up to 4.9 percentage points in a given week. Moreover, we highlight the importance of network centrality, pastors as information bridges, and the interaction with preexisting grievances and repression.

Keywords: autocracy; religion; protests; networks; leaders (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D72 D74 N44 P16 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025-04
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-mac, nep-net and nep-soc
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:pot:cepadp:87

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