State repression and collective action in South Africa, 1970–84

Abstract

This study had as its central problem an explanation of how economic and labour market competition and state repression influence levels of collective action in South Africa. A great deal of support was found for the arguments of resource mobilization and competition theories. Increased levels of competition in the labour market and an Increase In resources were found to Increase significantly the rate of collective action. These findings seriously question earlier research which suggested that repression has negative and linear effects on the rate of collective action. This research suggests that the decrease In the rate of collective action Is not due to repression. Repression was found to increase the rate of collective action. Furthermore, the results of this study showed that repression has different implications for rates of protest and conflict events.