The Infrapolitics of Repression

Where does political repression begin? Studies of repression and the control of political activity tend to focus on the most visible forms of protest, and the most obvious actors. The most frequently used definition of repression in sociology and political science presents repression as a set of “efforts to suppress either contentious acts or groups and organizations responsible for them” (McAdam, Tarrow and Tilly, 2001: 69). This understanding of repression focuses on direct action by the state to limit protest events by force and use of coercive means. Following the work of McAdam, Tarrow and Tilly, a significant proportion of current definitions of repression relate the phenomenon to a will from the state to silence, control or prevent political contestation on the part of actors outside the state and the institutionalized political system (Dufour and Dussault, 2022; Dupuis-Déri, 2013; Earl, 2011; Earl and Soule, 2010; Koopmans and Statham, 1999; Mitchell and Staeheli, 2005; Wood, 2007, 2015).

While this work is essential, this special issue aims to broaden the spectrum of analysis of repressive practices by looking at the whole range of institutional practices aimed at controlling, framing, or limiting protest and criticism. In recent years, research has been conducted focusing on less visible forms of repression, based in particular on practices of stigmatization or material hindrance (Garcia, 2014; Jämte and Ellefsen, 2020; Marx Ferree, 2004; Talpin, 2016; Maestri and Montforte, 2021). Different sets of practices can be mentioned: the way the funding of organizations can channel criticism and political action; the delegitimation or stigmatization of activist groups or causes; the marginalization of certain actors by public devices aimed at “partnership”; the constraints on the material and physical resources necessary for organizing; the division of activists’ groups or the organization of competition between them, etc. Still little documented empirically, these discrete forms of control nevertheless strongly impact people's ability to criticize constituted powers. This issue contributes to refining the analysis of repressive practices by highlighting another facet: the infrapolitics of repression.

In the words of James C. Scott, infrapolitics is the interstice within which the "hidden text" of the subaltern lies. Infrapolitics takes shape, expresses itself, constructs itself and articulates itself strategically with the "public text" of domination, i.e., with the score played by the community as a whole, through institutions (Scott, 1990). Typically used to speak to the resistance of subaltern groups in the face of domination, we have taken up the concept of infrapolitics to think about the forms of control and repression that are not visible, but which structure both the repertoires of action of the dominant and the spaces of contestation of the subalterns. This special issue therefore focuses on the discrete, informal, hidden, and indirect forms of control exercised by various actors to limit the political power of subaltern groups. Particular attention will be paid to articles that focus on less commonly studied areas of social movements.

We invite papers addressing one or more of the following axes:

• Tools and arrangements of repression, whether broadly diffused or not – put simply, how is the infrapolitics of repression organized and performed by actors in positions of power;
• The consequences of infrapolitical repression for political action by groups or networks of residents and activists;
• Strategies of resistance vis-à-vis the infrapolitics of repression – or, how is it possible to pursue political action in these contexts?

Proposals can use different types of methods (qualitative and quantitative) and research designs (case studies, comparisons). We strongly encourage proposals covering different  parts of the world and types of sociopolitical contexts, also beyond the North American and European one.

Instructions for applicants:

We only accept proposals in English. Abstracts of 250 words are expected by December 1^st, 2024, to be submitted to the following email address: julien.talpin@univ-lille.fr

Relevant deadlines

• December 20, 2024: Abstract submission deadline
• January 10, 2025: Selection of proposals
• June 1, 2025: Submission of papers to coordinators
• September 15, 2025: Submission of papers to the journal
• November 2025: Peer review evaluation of the articles
• July, 2026: Publication

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