Understanding state repression in the light of gender equality : Exploring under which conditions states use violent repression toward violent and nonviolent dissent

Sammanfattning: States respond to dissent with repressive means to stay in power. However, there are observed variations in how violently this repressive behavior actually is. Drawing on theories using gender inequality as one of the main, but often dismissed, determinants of violence and armed conflict, the thesis hypothesizes that attitudes to gender equality can help explain the variations in state repression. The theoretical argument is grounded in how gender norms characterized by militarized masculinities shape conflict norms since it is related to how ‘others’ in general are treated in society. By employing regression analysis, and testing the relationship between gender equality, operationalized through the Women’s Political Empowerment Index, and state repression in relation to a maximalist campaign, I found statistical support for the hypothesis that at higher levels of gender equality, repression is less likely to be extreme. The results also suggest that previous repressive behavior matters and that the severity of repression depends on the primary method of resistance within the campaign as well. The thesis thus further reinforces the importance of incorporating gender equality when attempting to explain collective violence.