ABSTRACT
In the following section we discuss several theories of social comparison processes which should be more integrated into the study of political violence. Obviously, comparison processes between segments of the population are important if discontent and later a potential for protest behavior are to develop. The basic questions are then: comparisons with whom, in what respect, with what consequence, and at what time? More will be said about specific conditions for comparison processes that may lead to discontent and/or protest potential. Here it will be our aim to draw attention to several theories and mechanisms of social comparison processes which have been somewhat neglected in research on political violence (at least in those studies relying on macrolevel measures).
