Support for Anonymous as vicarious dissent: Testing the social banditry framework

Abstract

This research uses the social banditry framework to propose that voiceless individuals in an unjust context may express their grievances vicariously. Specifically, it holds that individuals who perceive the system as unjust but lack political efficacy, express their anger against the system as support for actors whose behavior disrupts the system's functioning. These actors are situated outside conventional societal and political structures of power, and institutions. To test the social banditry framework, two studies investigate attitudes toward Anonymous, a group of hackers who challenge the status quo using online tactics such as trolling. Study 1 (N = 304)demonstrates that appraising the system as more unjust, and perceiving lower political efficacy are positively linked to anger against the system, which in turn predicts more positive attitudes toward Anonymous. In contrast, stronger injustice-fueled anger and stronger political efficacy predict intentions to engage in direct forms of political action, such as protesting or voting. Study 2 (N = 410) replicates these findings, and theorizes and tests the role of individualistic and collectivistic values in predicting vicarious and direct expressions of dissent. Study 2 demonstrates that endorsement of horizontal individualism predicts positive attitudes towards Anonymous, whereas horizontal collectivism predicts engagement in direct political action. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.

Social Value Orientation and Endorsement of Horizontal and Vertical Individualism and Collectivism: An Exploratory Study Comparing Individuals From North America and South Korea

“…The scree-plot indicated a four-factor solution emerged in each country explaining 52% of the variance in the United States sample, and 43% of the variance in the South Korean sample. Similar to a recent study using this scale in the Northern American context ( Travaglino, 2017 ), items assessing each of the four constructs loaded highly on the expected factor, except the item “ My happiness depends very much on the happiness of those around me ” which loaded on VC in the United States sample (rotated factor loading 0.34) rather than HC. Similarly, in the South Korean sample, the item loaded on VC (0.49) rather than HC.…”

“…For instance, in the Korean society (VC), some people may still endorse values of self-reliance, uniqueness and equality which are related to horizontal individualism. Moreover, in a society such as the United States (VI), some people may still endorse values of cooperation and interdependence related to horizontal collectivism ( Travaglino, 2017 ). Thus, it is important to investigate under which circumstances individuals are more likely to express personal cultural tendencies that run against the cultural normative theme.…”

Immigration, political trust, and Brexit – Testing an aversion amplification hypothesis

“…Specifically, we proposed that belief that immigration levels were too high in combination with mistrust of UK politicians would amplify perceived threat from immigration and weaken European identification, thereby mobilizing intentions to vote to leave the European Uniona combination of exit from the status quo but expressing political voice to gain control over the change (cf. Arndt, 2015; see also Travaglino, 2017).…”

Parea non servin:strategies of exploitation and resistance in the caporalato discourse

“…Although the loot has certainly a small economic value, it may be construed as a form of rebellion against the poor salaries the workers receive (cf. Travaglino, 2017b). The migrants involved in the harvest see as justifiable to take away something for themselves.…”

“…psychological resistance is extremely important because it enables individuals to put forward systems of values and meanings alternative to those used by the dominant groups, build new identities and ultimately achieve social change (Gramsci, 1971;Leach & Livingstone, 2015;Scott, 1990;Travaglino, 2017b).…”