Geography, Technology and Politics: Factors of Mass Protests in Russia 2011-2012

Abstract

We develop and test a model of impact of geographical, technological and political factors on the potential of collective actions in the Russian regions. We argue that geographical factors (low population concentration across the area, cold climate) increase the costs for participating in collective actions, while the spread of telecomunication technologies partly reduces such effect. To evaluate it correctly, it is necessary to take into account authorites' readiness to repress mass actions partiticpants. To test the hypothesis, we use data on mass protests that took place in Russia after the State Duma elections in December, 2011. The results show that the factors explain from 50% to 70% of the regional mass protests scale variation.