The Social Dynamics of Collective Action: Evidence from the Diffusion of the Swing Riots, 1830–1831

Social unrest often begins suddenly and spreads quickly. What is the information that drives its diffusion? How this transmitted? And who responds to information? We present a general framework emphasizes three aspects of diffusion process: networks through which travels, whether about repression affects participation, role organizers. use derive empirical hypotheses we test in context English Swing riots 1830–31. This was foundational case study social history, our identification strategy relies on spatiotemporal variation particular historical period. find significant traveled personal trade but not transport or mass media networks. repression, local organizers played an important riots.