THE DYNAMICS OF PROTEST WAVES - WEST-GERMANY, 1965 TO 1989

The dynamics of social movements after their initial emergence is stil l largely terra in-cognita. I develop a theory of the dynamics of prot est waves by comparing data on protests in West Germany between 1965 a nd 1989 with similar data from the Netherlands, Italy, and the United States. Striking similarities are noted among these different protest waves in the development of action repertoires, levels of repression a nd facilitation, and the involvement of different types of organizatio ns. An explanation for these dynamic patterns combines external and in ternal factors: The interplay between facilitation, repression, and th e chance of success defines a set of external constraints that combine with activists' choices among three strategic options - innovation, i ncreased participation, or increased militancy.