German Institute for Global and Area Studies | Leibniz-Institut für Globale und Regionale Studien

German Institute for Global and Area Studies | Leibniz-Institut für Globale und Regionale Studien

DEEN

Workshop

Communicating Repression: Studying Official Framing and Its Perception in Autocracies

Date

09/06/2022 - 10/06/2022

Bild Communicating Repression (DFG Workshop)
© GIGA

  • On 9–10 June 2022, a research workshop brought together scholars working on the nexus of legitimation, protest, and repression in autocracies. The workshop was held in the context of the German Research Foundation (DFG)-funded research project “Justifying Repression in Authoritarian Regimes of the Arab World: Official Framing and Target Audiences,” directed by Dr. Maria Josua. At the workshop, cooperation partners and other colleagues working on these topics presented their ongoing research and discussed preliminary findings of the project.  

    Over the course of two days, participants discussed how repressive policies are communicated and justified, especially in the context of popular protests. The mostly qualitatively informed works were marked by a disaggregated understanding of repression, taking into account various actors and dynamics. Further aspects included changing strategies of repression, the discourses of security forces and other actors, the effects of the communication of repression on protests, and international/transnational repressive policies. The main regional focus was on the MENA region, with case studies spanning from the Maghreb to the Persian Gulf, Turkey, and Iran. The inclusion of a study on Nicaragua and input from scholars specialising in other world regions allowed for a comparative perspective and consideration of cross-regional implications. Political communication in autocracies and the complex entanglement of repression and its justification remain an innovative and growing field of research.

    Organisation

    Address

    GIGA, Hamburg

    Language

    English

    We offer our events digitally or in hybrid setting. We monitor the current pandemic situation and act accordingly. We look forward to your participation.

    Related content

    Research Project | 01/07/2019 - 31/10/2024

    Justifying Repression in Authoritarian Regimes of the Arab World: Official Framing and Target Audiences

    This project offers a new perspective on how repression can sustain authoritarianism. It focuses on Tunesia and Morocco – two countries with divergent trajectories during the Arab uprisings. Bridging framing and autocracy research, the project develops a new concept of justifications of repression. It shows how their application in different branches of government differs, why certain types of justifications are chosen, and what effect they have.
    DFG, 2019-2024

    Dr. Maria Josua

    Alexander Dukalskis

    Dr. Mirjam Edel

    Ass. Prof. Dr. Merouan Mekouar

    Kressen Thyen

    Sean Yom

    Authoritarian Turn

    Authoritarian Turn

    It is not only non-democratic regimes that resort to authoritarian practices. They can increasingly be found in use also in formally democratic states, as the examples of shrinking civic space, populism, and democratic backsliding show.

    GIGA Institute for Middle East Studies

    GIGA Institute for Middle East Studies

    The GIGA Institute for Middle East Studies is one of the leading institutes for Middle East research in Germany and Europe. Our scholars examine topics such as state and regime structures, energy security, violent conflicts, forced migration, Islamist movements, and the reshaping of the regional order.

    Notification

    Sign up to receive email notifications about GIGA activities

    Social Media

    Follow us

    German Institute for Global and Area Studies | Leibniz-Institut für Globale und Regionale Studien
    Logo Total E Quality
    Logo Hamburger Allianz Fuer Familien
    Logo Leibniz
    Alt Text Footer Logo Hamburg Ministry of Science, Research, Equalities and Districts
    Logo Auswertiges Amt