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Modelling the distance impedance of protest attendance

Author

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  • Traag, V.A.
  • Quax, R.
  • Sloot, P.M.A.

Abstract

Protesters are usually young, relatively well educated, middle class people that are politically engaged. But where do protesters come from? We here show, based on mobile phone data, that distance is an important impedance to protest attendance. Most protesters come from nearby regions, suggesting distance forms an obstacle to participation. Although this effect can be partly explained by social network effects, which show similar spatial dependencies, an effect of distance remains. This suggests distance still acts as an obstacle to participation, although it may also be that long-range contacts are less effective for recruitment. Face-to-face contacts seem more important in spreading protests through earlier participants, whereas central recruitment works better by telephone. Our results are important for understanding processes of recruitment.

Suggested Citation

  • Traag, V.A. & Quax, R. & Sloot, P.M.A., 2017. "Modelling the distance impedance of protest attendance," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 468(C), pages 171-182.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:phsmap:v:468:y:2017:i:c:p:171-182
    DOI: 10.1016/j.physa.2016.10.054
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    1. Masías, Víctor Hugo & Crespo R., Fernando A. & Navarro R., Pilar & Masood, Razan & Krämer, Nicole C. & Hoppe, H. Ulrich, 2021. "On spatial variation in the detectability and density of social media user protest supporters," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 65, pages 1-1.

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