Processes of Political Violence and the Dynamics of Situational Interaction

Abstract

This panel explores processes of political violence with a particular focus on how dynamics of situational interaction contribute to the escalation of violence – and/or shape particular forms and trajectories of violence – in confrontational encounters. It invites contributions on different phenomena of political violence, ranging from protest events or riots to more organized and premeditated forms of political violence such as “terrorist” attacks. Situational dynamics, thereby, are to be understood in a broad sense, including micro-interactions as well as spatial dynamics or interpretative and communicative processes. Of particular interest is how the dynamics of situational encounters are intertwined with broader processes of political violence.