Differentiated opposition in collective mobilization: countering Italian populism

Francesco Campo*

*Corresponding author

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskriftTidsskriftartikelForskningpeer review

Abstract

In recent years, Italian civil society has used differentiated forms of opposition against the populist parties Lega and Movimento Cinque Stelle (M5S), more often using intolerant, coercive forms of engagement against Lega than M5S. The article asks why some actors have used intolerant opposition in connection with these populist parties, while others used tolerant forms. Using Bourne’s typology, this article presents the results of an empirical analysis on forms of opposition to Lega and M5S between 2013 and 2019. Using framing analysis, it addresses the research question by comparing claim-making in Italian civil society protests against Lega and M5S. I argue that actors mobilizing consensus toward intolerant initiatives justify coercion as a defensive tool to oppose an illegitimate, threatening antagonist. Conversely, actors adopting tolerant forms of opposition do not delegitimize their antagonist nor consider coercion an available tool for protest. The article examines four case studies: the 2014 exclusion of M5S representatives from Tor Sapienza, the 2015‒2017 Mai con Salvini movement, the 2019 anti-vaccination protests opposing Grillo, and the 2019 Sardine movement.
OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftComparative European Politics
Vol/bind21
Udgave nummer6
Sider (fra-til)779-798
Antal sider20
ISSN1472-4790
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 2023

Emneord

  • Framing
  • Italy
  • Lega
  • Movimento 5 Stelle
  • Opposition
  • Populism

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