Defending dissent in a time of symbolic power

• Main Author: Kilpadi, Pamela
• Other Authors: Doogan, Kevin
• Published: University of Bristol 2017
• Online Access: https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.759964

This study investigates how the ways in which modern digital age, austerity-driven societies are structured can fuel discontent, rising popular support for authoritarian regimes and less tolerance of dissent in a wide range of country contexts. It applies recent theoretical work on social power in international relations and the work of Bourdieu and Wacquant on symbolic violence, poverty and social exclusion to the realm of elite geopolitics and (dis)information war. Several case studies are discussed from an ethnographic perspective. Semi-structured interviews are conducted with defenders of dissent and other human rights working in diverse national contexts to better illuminate how political ‘leaders’ create marginal categories of people to silence dissent and consolidate power.