The blind men and the event: Anti‐foreign demonstrations in events data analysis

In the absence of a distinguishing framework, our science has treated events such as anti‐foreign demonstrations (AFD's) much like the proverbial blind men had treated the elephant. Indeed, we have relied on assumptions from which we have formed rather narrow opinions as to what such events mean. This study illustrates how these events have been applied or misapplied in previous studies. Further, it posits that these events can be better understood if they were differentiated with two dimensions (1) the level of the issue as it relates to the demonstrators (sub‐nationalist, nationalist, extra‐nationalist) and (2) the host government's agreement or disagreement with the demonstrator's position on issue. An examination of a model built on these dimensions confirmed that, in and of themselves, AFDs can represent at least five and possibly nine distinct types of conflict. Unless such distinctions are made in future study, the import of these extremely significant events will remain an enigma.

Keywords:

• conflict
• demonstrations
• externalization
• protest