ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a new approach to the study of domestic dissent and state repression. It introduces model of domestic threat in the form of dissent and state coercion. The chapter explores between five types of dissent and uses a statistical tool that allows to find nonlinear relationships between the different forms of dissent and repression. It discusses the data and the results obtained from the empirical analysis and between peaceful anti-government demonstrations, strikes, violent riots, guerrilla warfare and large-scale rebellion. Strikes are seen as more threatening than demonstrations since they involve a larger number of people and often require more organization and hence commitment from at least some dissidents. Riots are violent and spontaneous displays of dissent. Guerrilla warfare also poses a violent threat, but it involves a higher level of participation and organization than spontaneous riots. The chapter concludes with some suggestions for further research that seeks to explain variations in human rights violations.
