Course Description:
Mass mobilization has shaped political landscapes worldwide, yet its capacity to drive democratic change appears increasingly uncertain. This course explores the conditions under which mass mobilization emerges, succeeds, and sometimes falters, with a special emphasis on non-violent movements.
Students will critically assess why individuals engage in collective action, examining triggers such as economic shocks, social grievances, and political exclusion. Drawing on influential theories on strategic nonviolence, the course evaluates why non-violent resistance has often proven more effective than armed rebellion in achieving political change.
To better understand why movements either succeed or fail in achieving sustained democratization, the course explores participant demographics and the intricacies of organizational strategies. We will give special attention to social makeup of these movements and how different organizational infrastructures, from decentralized networks to formal leadership hierarchies, shape their effectiveness and resilience.
The final part of the course shifts attention to contemporary challenges, including the declining effectiveness of mass mobilization on transitions to democracy, and the rise of anti-liberal and authoritarian mobilization. Students will grapple with pressing questions about whether mass mobilization remains a viable pathway to democratization, considering which shifts may have weakened its effectiveness over the last decade. Through a detailed analysis of recent cases, students will explore strategies for revitalizing civil resistance in increasingly polarized and digitally controlled environments.
The course will combine lectures with interactive discussions, presenting core theories alongside cutting-edge research. This format is designed to equip students to thoroughly engage with the complexities and shifting dynamics of mass mobilization in the 21st century.
All participants will receive a diploma from the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) proving that they have taken the course. In order to have the course counted as a 5 ECTS course, participants must submit a paper of 4000 words, which is evaluated as passed.
The course will take place in-person.
Deadlines:
Apply by 4 May