Why do demonstrations become violent? By modifying both group-based and individual-level theories of collective action, we create a generic theory of protest radicalization. The authors contend that protest radicalization is impacted by mobilization dynamics. People who participate in protests have varying cost-risk thresholds, which affects how they participate in politics. When there are enough moderate groups, they can prevent more extreme members from escalating their protest strategies. The researchers developed testable hypotheses using a number of formal models, which they then examined using information from the Mass Mobilization Project. Their theories are supported by the findings.

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09546553.2025.2504014