Journal Article - Quarterly Journal: International Security

Opportunistic Repression: Civilian Targeting by the State in Response to COVID-19

    Authors:
  • Donald Grasse
  • Melissa Pavlik
  • Hilary Matfess
  • Travis B. Curtice
| Fall 2021

Summary

Opportunistic repression arises when states exploit crises to suppress the political opposition. An examination of the relationship between COVID-19 shutdown policies in Africa and state violence against civilians tests this theory. A subnational case study of repression in Uganda also provides evidence that the increase in repression was concentrated in opposition areas that showed less support for Yoweri Museveni in the 2016 elections.

Downloads

For more information on this publication: Belfer Communications Office
For Academic Citation:

Donald Grasse et al., "Opportunistic Repression: Civilian Targeting by the State in Response to COVID-19," International Security, Vol. 46, No. 2 (Fall 2021), pp. 130–165, doi.org/10.1162/isec_a_00419.

The Authors

Donald Grasse

Melissa Pavlik

Hilary Matfess

Travis B. Curtice

Recommended
In the Spotlight
RSS
In a new publication, Ketaki Zodgekar discusses sexual violence in the Ethiopian conflict even after the peace deal was signed in 2022. In the first two months after the signing, 852 incidents were reported.
Ahead of the G7, the Project on Managing the Atom convened participants in Hiroshima to discuss issues such as the merits of nuclear deterrence and risk reduction instruments.
Svenja Kirsch and Vladyslav Wallace argue that Russia should not be allowed to preside over the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), an institution of peace.
Most Viewed

Tags