The European Union and the tactics of dissent

This paper examines how a states membership in the European Union (EU) affects how dissent groups within that state select their tactics. As one of the strongest international institutions, the EUs influence on its member states has expanded along with its membership to include its advocacy for democracy and the protection of human rights. Previous research suggests that dissent groups select tactics based upon a cost-benefit system based upon available resources and opportunities. I argue that the requirements of EU membership cause an aspiring states domestic political arena to change in such a way that alters dissent groups tactics selection. This article shows that when a state proceeds towards EU membership, dissent groups decrease their use of noninstitutional forms of dissent, to varying degrees among violent and nonviolent tactics.