@article{1673908071314b07aad654ac40539be7,
title = "Focal Points, Dissident Calendars, and Preemptive Repression",
abstract = "This article explains temporal variation in repression as a function of the “dissident calendar,” the set of events that serve as natural focal points for coordination. The core argument is that regimes can anticipate the events that create these focal points and engage in preemptive repression to survive their passing. This dynamic produces predictable, often cyclical patterns in repression. An analysis of dissident detentions in China from 1998 to 2014 shows that “focal events” alone appear to be responsible for more than 20 percent of dissident detentions over the analysis period. Such detentions tend to be shorter and rely less on formal criminal procedures, suggesting a “catch-and-release” dynamic. Additional analysis of detentions in Tibet shows how the calendar may vary by issue or group.",
keywords = "China, Tibet, authoritarian, collective action, detention, dissidents, focal point, human rights, mobilization, preemptive, repression",
author = "Rory Truex",
note = "Funding Information: The authors would like to thank Cameron Ballard-Rosa, Mark Beissinger, Carles Boix, Sabine Carey, Christian Davenport, Bruce Dickson, Martin Dimitrov, Harry Doshay, Jennifer Earl, Christopher Fariss, Mary Gallagher, Daniel Hill, Haifeng Huang, Amaney Jamal, Timur Kuran, Pierre Landry, Eddy Malesky, Melanie Manion, Isabela Mares, David Meyer, Will Moore, Barry Naughton, Jean Oi, Molly Roberts, Victor Shih, Susan Stokes, Milan Svolik, Lauren Young, Leonard Wantchekon, and participants at the APSA Mini-conference in Chinese Politics, the Conflict Consortium Virtual Workshop, and UCSD Conference on Quantitative Studies of Chinese Elite for helpful feedback. Special thanks goes to Mark Beissinger for access to the revolutions data set and to Harry Doshay and Haosen Ge for their excellent research assistance. The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: The author received financial support from Princeton University for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. Funding Information: The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: The author received financial support from Princeton University for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} The Author(s) 2018.",
year = "2019",
month = apr,
day = "1",
doi = "10.1177/0022002718770520",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "63",
pages = "1032--1052",
journal = "Journal of Conflict Resolution",
issn = "0022-0027",
publisher = "SAGE Publications Inc.",
number = "4",
}