Responses to repression

Scholars have long been interested in explaining the effect of state repression on political participation. Yet, the core question is still unanswered: what accounts for the variation in the effect of repression? This article posits that the variation lies in the fact that people may respond differently to the same levels of repression. Therefore, to better understand political participation under repression scholars need to pay more attention to the strategic decision making of individuals. The article proposes that theorization needs to move toward predictions about individuals’ responses to repression. Through a comprehensive review of existing literature on repression, the article seeks to lay a foundation for such theorization. A number of strategies in response to repression are identified. ‘Choice points’ are applied as the base of hypotheses about why or under what conditions people choose a particular strategy to respond to repression. In doing so, this article outlines new avenues for empirical research on repression