The Advantage of Disadvantage: Costly Protest and Political Representation for Marginalized Groups

Protests can influence political representation, particularly for disadvantaged groups. According to The Advantage of Disadvantage, legislators are more responsive to protesters, and after protesting, racial and ethnic minorities, people with low incomes, and other low-resource groups are more likely than white and affluent protesters to gain representation. Online protests are less effective than in-person protests.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 220 pages
Publication date: 24 February 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

The Advantage of Disadvantage is a thought-provoking book by LaGina Gause that argues that protests are most effective for disadvantaged groups. According to the author, legislators are more responsive to protesters than non-protesters, and after protesting, racial and ethnic minorities, people with low incomes, and other low-resource groups are more likely than white and affluent protesters to gain representation. Gause also demonstrates that online protests are less effective than in-person protests. The book draws on literature from across the social sciences, as well as formal theory, to provide invaluable insights for scholars and activists seeking to understand how groups gain representation through protesting.

The Advantage of Disadvantage makes a compelling case that protests are most effective for marginalized groups. According to author LaGina Gause, legislators are more receptive to the concerns of protesters than non-protesters, and after engaging in protests, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with low incomes, and other low-resource groups are more likely than their white and affluent counterparts to secure representation. Gause further highlights that online protests are less impactful than in-person demonstrations. By drawing on a wealth of literature from various social sciences and employing formal theoretical frameworks, the book offers valuable insights for scholars and activists interested in comprehending how groups can achieve representation through protesting.

The Advantage of Disadvantage presents a compelling argument that protests are most impactful for disadvantaged groups. According to author LaGina Gause, legislators exhibit greater responsiveness to the concerns of protesters compared to non-protesters. Following protests, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with low incomes, and other low-resource groups are more likely than their white and affluent counterparts to secure representation. Gause also notes that online protests are less effective than in-person demonstrations. By drawing on a diverse range of literature from various social sciences and employing formal theoretical frameworks, the book provides valuable insights for scholars and activists interested in understanding how groups can achieve representation through protesting.

Weight: 454g
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781009074322
Edition number: New ed