Identity leadership and mobilization strategies in repressive regimes: Czechoslovak Socialist Republic’s ‘Candlelight Demonstration’

Abstract

Previous research on leadership has primarily examined the role of rhetoric in shaping social identities. However, the practical ways in which leaders create shared social identity and allow their followers to express it have been largely overlooked. Additionally, research on the role of leadership in mobilization in repressive, non-democratic regimes is generally scarce. We address both gaps by using the ‘Candlelight Demonstration’, which took place in the repressive regime of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic, as our case study. In this context, it was particularly difficult for leaders to establish a shared identity and mobilize people. Drawing on accounts of all main leaders (N=5) of the demonstration, we show that leaders attended to issues of identity impresarioship, by constructing shared identity in practice during the demonstration (e.g., through using symbols or identity-related spaces). Leaders also acted strategically to overcome the constraints posed by the repressive regime (e.g., by not including speakers and banners). Overall, leadership can be critical not only in rhetorical category construction but also in considering the practical affordances that allow for the active formation and expression of social identity.

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