In search of a theoretical approach to the analysis of the ‘Colour revolutions’

Transition studies and discourse theory

Bibliographic Data

ID12302012
AuthorsMaksym Zherebkin (University of Essex, corresponding author)
Year2009
Volume42
Issue2
Pages199-216
Publication date2009-05-13
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueCommunist and Post-Communist Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0967-067X • E-ISSN: 1873-6920
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.postcomstud.2009.04.005
OpenAlexW2076277679
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited38

The article aims to identify a theoretical framework which would be able to provide explanation for the cases of political mobilization during the ‘Colour revolutions’ in Georgia, Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan. It reviews the existing literature on the topic, which is predominantly oriented by the ‘transition paradigm’. The major shortcomings of this literature are identified: the privileging of either structure or agency when accounting for social change, a strong emphasis on the role of elites and insufficient attention to collective agency. Accordingly, I argue that the methodology of poststructuralist discourse theory may importantly supplement the ‘transitological’ framework owing to its ability to conceptualize the dynamic interdependence between structure and agency, as well as the formation of collective political identities

Agency (philosophy · Economics · Epistemology · Political science · Politics · Positive economics · Social science · Sociology · Structure and agency · Transition (genetics · Law · Political Conflict and Governance · Populism, Right-Wing Movements · Religion and Society Interactions

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