Unity of the Different: Representation and Populism in ''Forfair elections'' movement

Abstract

This article concerns the phenomenon of representation phenomenon and analyzes views of 'For fair elections' movement participants on representation in general and Coordination Board of Opposition in particular. The views on representation give a possibility to better understand the logic of the movement in mobilization mechanics, participants expectations, issues of local activist groups, etc. The Laclau concept of populism helps to distinguish typical features of populist movements as well as their differences in the protests of 2011-2013. A key feature is the paradox of 'unity of the different' when there is a tendency to associations that become acceptable only if individual and group differences of protesters are preserved. 'Unity of the different' bounds participants and prevents them from elaborating a joint political program; it supports the protest and at the same time leads to its decline.