Rioting and violent protest in comparative perspective: Theoretical Considerations, Empirical Puzzles

One Year after the Greek Uprising of 2008
An International Conference
Panteion University, 9-11 december  2009
Distinctive among all other forms of contentious politics, violent protest or — in derogatory terms— rioting evokes contradictory responses. Relatively easy to initiate (as it bears comparatively little logistic and organisational cost), violence is simultaneously the most visible and sensational [...]

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Why Has the French Left Failed So Singularly ?

The facts are dire enough : the disastrous showings in the first round (an all-time low), then the socialist candidate’s defeat in the second. Has the left simply lost a battle or has it lost an ideological campaign ? Stéphane Rozès (head of the CSA polling institute) and sociologists Laurent Willermz and Michel Vakaloulis debate with L’Humanité on the reasons for the left’s defeat and on its future propects.

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Interview with Michel Vakaloulis on the anti‑CPE movement

After the events in the banlieues – the urban suburbs of France – last autumn, French youth are in the streets again today. Why?
It isn’t exactly the same type of young person who has taken to the streets. The anti-CPE [1] movement is not a re-enactment of the urban violence of last autumn. There are [...]

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