Papers by Louisa Prause
In this article, I explore how the discursive context shapes the outcome of protest actors' frami... more In this article, I explore how the discursive context shapes the outcome of protest actors' framing strategies in conflicts over large-scale land transformations. I use the discursive opportunity structures (DOS) concept to show that the outcome of framing strategies is influenced by national and transnational discursive structures. These differ depending on the specific purpose of land valorisation. Further factors influencing the outcomes are counter frames of the opponents, quality of framing strategies and frictions within movements. Empirically, I compare framing strategies used by protest actors in conflicts around a gold mine and an agro-industrial project in Senegal. RÉSUMÉ Dans cet article j'examine comment le contexte discursif influence les résultats des stratégies de cadrage utilisées par des acteurs de protestations dans des conflits portant sur des transformations foncières à grande échelle. J'utilise le concept de structure des opportunités discursives pour montrer que le succès ou l'échec des stratégies de cadrage est déterminé par des structures discursives nationales et transnationales. Celles-ci diffèrent selon l'objectif particulier de la valorisation foncière. Autres facteurs qui influencent les résultats sont les contre-cadres des adversaires, l'utilisation habile des cadres et des frictions à l'intérieur des mouvements. Empiriquement je me réfère à deux conflits autour d'une mine d'or et d'un projet agroindustriel au Sénégal.
PaCo, 2017
Since 2011 youth movements have staged large protests in African countries for presidential term ... more Since 2011 youth movements have staged large protests in African countries for presidential term limits. These have been discussed as struggles against de-democratization. Looking at the movements Y'en a marre in Senegal and Balai citoyen in Burkina Faso we argue that these protests were just as much triggered by socioeconomic grievances linked to a corrupt patronage system. Indeed, corruption has been a major issue for both campaigns. We ask how the movement leaders linked the fight against corruption with their struggle against third term amendments in a way that sparked mass mobilization. We use the framing approach as our theoretical framework and show that a framing based on the concept of citizenship enabled both movements to link the issue of corruption to the issue of presidential term amendments and at the same time create a sense of agency in the constituency. This explains at least partly why both Y'en a marre and Balai Citoyen succeeded in their mobilizing efforts.
In West Africa, large social movements against mining are so far relatively absent from the prote... more In West Africa, large social movements against mining are so far relatively absent from the protest scene. In contrast, a major point in conflict is the competition for gold between artisanal and small-scale miners and large-scale mining companies (e.g. Engels forthcoming, Okoh 2014), in particular in countries with a long tra-dition of artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) and a newly-emerging industrial mining economy. Artisanal and small-scale mining refers to the “labor-intensive, low-tech mineral exploration and processing” of gold (Hilson 2011, pp. 1032). In this paper, I aim to identify how the livelihood activities of artisanal and small-scale mining shape conflict over large-scale mining.
The term ‘shrinking spaces’ describes state actions that aim to restrict civil societies’ activit... more The term ‘shrinking spaces’ describes state actions that aim to restrict civil societies’ activities. In this article I investigate in how far spaces for civil society action are also influenced by changes in land control by looking at two cases of large-scale land transformations in Senegal.
Struggles over meaning construction are an essential part of conflicts over large-scale land tran... more Struggles over meaning construction are an essential part of conflicts over large-scale land transformations. To advance the land access claims of local communities, social movement actors engage in specific framing strategies to mobilize resources and support. This article explores how the discursive context shapes the success or failure of social movement actors’ framing strategies in conflicts over large-scale mining and agroindustrial projects. Discursive opportunity structures (DOS) and framing are the key theoretical concepts used. I argue that the outcomes of framing strategies can only be understood when we combine DOS with a thorough analysis of social movement actors’ ability to act on the opportunities provided by discursive structures. Empirically, the study compares conflicts over gold mining and agro-industry in Senegal. Some elements of the discursive structures differ depending on the purpose of the large-scale land transformation in question and as such provide distinct opportunities for social movement actors. Other elements of the discursive structure are tied to large-scale land transformations in general. As the empirical analysis shows, not all social movement actors can use these opportunities in the same way. The article contributes to our understanding of the importance of discourses and framing strategies in conflicts over large-scale land transformations. Conceptually, I explore the strengths and weaknesses of a theoretical framework combining DOS and framing.
Forschungsjournal Soziale Bewegungen, 2015
„Die Menschen legen Hoffnung in ihre Stimme. Doch die, die wir kennen, haben uns verraten. Wir we... more „Die Menschen legen Hoffnung in ihre Stimme. Doch die, die wir kennen, haben uns verraten. Wir werden alles von Beginn an neu aufbauen müssen. Wir wollen dich nicht mehr, du wirst den Zorn des Volkes spüren. Dieses Land braucht neues Blut, es ist Zeit für dich, zu gehen.“ Diese Worte richtet der Rapper Fou Malade im Vorfeld der Präsidentschaftswahlen 2012 in dem Lied »Doggali« an den ehemaligen senegalesischen Präsidenten Wade. Fou Malade ist ein Gründungsmitglied und Anführer der Bewegung »Y’en a marre« – übersetzt: Wir haben die Schnauze voll. Y’en a marre war eine der wichtigsten Gruppen bei den Massenprotesten gegen die dritte und verfassungswidrige Präsidentschaftskandidatur von Abdoulaye Wade. Dieser Artikel geht der Frage nach, wie Y’en a marre im Vorfeld der Präsidentschaftswahlen 2012 HipHop und Rap für die politische Mobilisierung der Jugend nutzte.
Die Wahlen im Senegal 2012 waren von heftigen Protesten begleitet. Wichtigste Akteure der Protest... more Die Wahlen im Senegal 2012 waren von heftigen Protesten begleitet. Wichtigste Akteure der Proteste waren das Bündnis M23, das sich aus Organisationen der Zivilgesellschaft und den oppositionellen Präsidentschaftskandidaten zusammensetzt und die Bewegung Y'en marre» -in etwa «Wir haben's satt». Je nach Blickwinkel wurde Y'en a marre entweder zu einer «revolutionären Bewegung» einer «Massenbewegung der Jugend» oder einen kulturellen Phänomen als «Hiphop Bewegung».
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Papers by Louisa Prause
Conference Calls by Louisa Prause
Book Reviews by Louisa Prause
Books by Louisa Prause
Talks by Louisa Prause