Cycles of Political Violence: Examining the Layered Relationship between Repression and Violent Dissent

This chapter explores the connections between different forms of repression, both violations of physical integrity and institutionalized restrictions, and the perpetration of violence against the state by terror organizations and rebel groups. We demonstrate how repression at various layers of the Earl and Braithwaite (2022) model corresponds to dimensions of armed conflict involving non-state actors, and how these relationships are often cyclical: repression begets violent dissent, which begets more repression. We also discuss how these processes have important implications for public opinion, which can in turn affect these repression-dissent cycles. Finally, we conclude with some suggestions for future research addressing the intersection between repression and civil conflict.