Does State Repression Spark Protests? Evidence from Secret Police Surveillance in Communist Poland

Does physical surveillance hinder or foster antiregime resistance? A common view holds that prevents resistance by providing regimes with high-quality intelligence on dissident networks and instilling fear in citizens. We contrast this using formerly classified data from Communist Poland. find communities exposed to secret police officers were more likely organize protests but also engaged less sabotage. To ensure the relationship is causal, we use an instrumental variable strategy, which exploits exogenous assignment of Catholic “spy priests” local communities. trace underlying mechanisms, draw qualitative interviews archival sources. document Poland’s comprehensive created widespread anger as well incentive for citizens reveal their true loyalties, thus facilitating collective action. Once streets, protesters refrained sabotage signal political motivation bystanders authorities alike.