Skip to main content
Top

2021 | OriginalPaper | Chapter

5. Legal Mobilization as an Oppositional Strategy: From Individual Activation to Collective Action

Authors : Stefan Thierse, Sanja Badanjak

Published in: Opposition in the EU Multi-Level Polity

Publisher: Springer International Publishing

Activate our intelligent search to find suitable subject content or patents.

search-config
loading …

Abstract

This chapter reflects on legal mobilization as an oppositional strategy. Analytically, legal mobilization connects seamlessly to the POS framework in linking structure and agency. In order to understand how and why constitutional complaints are transformed into a vehicle for mobilization, we first devote attention to the relevance of law as a master frame that does not only impinge on individuals’ motivation to participate in collective action, but is also crucial for gaining access to (constitutional) courts and facilitating the receptivity of judges to claims. We then address individual and collective dimensions of legal mobilization, highlighting the dual process of individual activation and collective organization. In particular, we consider mass constitutional complaints as a phenomenon of collective legal mobilization and strategic litigation. We conclude by establishing a common ground between legal mobilization and our concept of opposition.

Dont have a licence yet? Then find out more about our products and how to get one now:

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 102.000 Bücher
  • über 537 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Automobil + Motoren
  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Elektrotechnik + Elektronik
  • Energie + Nachhaltigkeit
  • Finance + Banking
  • Management + Führung
  • Marketing + Vertrieb
  • Maschinenbau + Werkstoffe
  • Versicherung + Risiko

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 67.000 Bücher
  • über 340 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Finance + Banking
  • Management + Führung
  • Marketing + Vertrieb
  • Versicherung + Risiko




Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Literature
go back to reference Adam, C., Bauer, M. W., Hartlapp, M., & Mathieu, E. (2020). Taking the EU to court: Annulment proceedings and multilevel judicial conflict. Palgrave studies in European Union politics. Cham: Palgrave Macmillan. Adam, C., Bauer, M. W., Hartlapp, M., & Mathieu, E. (2020). Taking the EU to court: Annulment proceedings and multilevel judicial conflict. Palgrave studies in European Union politics. Cham: Palgrave Macmillan.
go back to reference Andersen, E. A. (2005). Out of the closets and into the courts: Legal opportunity structure and gay rights litigation. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press. Andersen, E. A. (2005). Out of the closets and into the courts: Legal opportunity structure and gay rights litigation. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press.
go back to reference Anheier, H. K., & Scherer, N. (2015). Voluntary actions and social movements. In D. Della Porta & M. Diani (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of social movements (pp. 494–510). Oxford: Oxford University Press. Anheier, H. K., & Scherer, N. (2015). Voluntary actions and social movements. In D. Della Porta & M. Diani (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of social movements (pp. 494–510). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
go back to reference Bandura, A. (2000). Exercise of human agency through collective efficacy. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 9(3), 75–78.CrossRef Bandura, A. (2000). Exercise of human agency through collective efficacy. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 9(3), 75–78.CrossRef
go back to reference Benford, R. D., & Snow, D. A. (2000). Framing processes and social movements: An overview and assessment. Annual Review of Sociology, 26, 611–639.CrossRef Benford, R. D., & Snow, D. A. (2000). Framing processes and social movements: An overview and assessment. Annual Review of Sociology, 26, 611–639.CrossRef
go back to reference Berry, J. M. (1977). Lobbying for the people: The political behavior of public interest groups. Princeton Legacy Library. Princeton: Princeton University Press. Berry, J. M. (1977). Lobbying for the people: The political behavior of public interest groups. Princeton Legacy Library. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
go back to reference Blankenburg, E. (1995). Mobilisierung des Rechts: Eine Einführung in die Rechtssoziologie. Springer-Lehrbuch. Berlina and Heidelberg: Springer. Blankenburg, E. (1995). Mobilisierung des Rechts: Eine Einführung in die Rechtssoziologie. Springer-Lehrbuch. Berlina and Heidelberg: Springer.
go back to reference Blankenburg, E. (1998). Die Verfassungsbeschwerde - Nebenbühne der Politik und Klagemauer von Bürgern. Kritische Justiz, 31(2), 203–218.CrossRef Blankenburg, E. (1998). Die Verfassungsbeschwerde - Nebenbühne der Politik und Klagemauer von Bürgern. Kritische Justiz, 31(2), 203–218.CrossRef
go back to reference Bouwen, P., & McCown, M. (2007). Lobbying versus litigation: Political and legal strategies of interest representation in the European Union. Journal of European Public Policy, 14(3), 422–443.CrossRef Bouwen, P., & McCown, M. (2007). Lobbying versus litigation: Political and legal strategies of interest representation in the European Union. Journal of European Public Policy, 14(3), 422–443.CrossRef
go back to reference Campbell, A., Gurin, G., & Miller, W. E. (1954). The voter decides. Evanston: Row, Peterson. Campbell, A., Gurin, G., & Miller, W. E. (1954). The voter decides. Evanston: Row, Peterson.
go back to reference Cichowski, R. A. (2007). The European court and civil society: Litigation, mobilization and governance. Cambridge and New York: Cambridge University Press.CrossRef Cichowski, R. A. (2007). The European court and civil society: Litigation, mobilization and governance. Cambridge and New York: Cambridge University Press.CrossRef
go back to reference Conant, L., Hofmann, A., Soennecken, D., & Vanhala, L. (2018). Mobilizing European law. Journal of European Public Policy, 25(9), 1376–1389.CrossRef Conant, L., Hofmann, A., Soennecken, D., & Vanhala, L. (2018). Mobilizing European law. Journal of European Public Policy, 25(9), 1376–1389.CrossRef
go back to reference Cortner, R. (1968). Strategies and tactics of litigants in constitutional cases. Journal of Public Law, 17(2), 287–307. Cortner, R. (1968). Strategies and tactics of litigants in constitutional cases. Journal of Public Law, 17(2), 287–307.
go back to reference Eijkman, Q. (2017). Indiscriminate bulk data interception and group privacy: Do Human Rights organisations retaliate through strategic litigation. In L. Taylor, L. Floridi, & B. van der Sloot (Eds.), Philosophical studies series: Volume 126. Group privacy: New challenges of data technologies (pp. 123–138). Cham: Springer.CrossRef Eijkman, Q. (2017). Indiscriminate bulk data interception and group privacy: Do Human Rights organisations retaliate through strategic litigation. In L. Taylor, L. Floridi, & B. van der Sloot (Eds.), Philosophical studies series: Volume 126. Group privacy: New challenges of data technologies (pp. 123–138). Cham: Springer.CrossRef
go back to reference Epp, C. R. (2008). The rights revolution: Lawyers, activists, and supreme courts in comparative perspective (4th ed.). Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Epp, C. R. (2008). The rights revolution: Lawyers, activists, and supreme courts in comparative perspective (4th ed.). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
go back to reference Felstiner, W. L. F., Abel, R. L., & Sarat, A. (1980). The emergence and transformation of disputes: Naming, blaming, claiming. Law and Society Review, 15(3), 631–654.CrossRef Felstiner, W. L. F., Abel, R. L., & Sarat, A. (1980). The emergence and transformation of disputes: Naming, blaming, claiming. Law and Society Review, 15(3), 631–654.CrossRef
go back to reference Fuchs, G. (2019). Was ist strategische Prozessführung? In A. Graser & C. Helmrich (Eds.), Strategic Litigation: Begriff und Praxis (pp. 43–52). Baden-Baden: Nomos.CrossRef Fuchs, G. (2019). Was ist strategische Prozessführung? In A. Graser & C. Helmrich (Eds.), Strategic Litigation: Begriff und Praxis (pp. 43–52). Baden-Baden: Nomos.CrossRef
go back to reference Galanter, M. (1974). Why the haves come out ahead: Speculations on the limits of legal change. Law Society Review, 9(1), 95–160.CrossRef Galanter, M. (1974). Why the haves come out ahead: Speculations on the limits of legal change. Law Society Review, 9(1), 95–160.CrossRef
go back to reference Gawron, T., & Schäfer, R. (1976). Justiz und organisierte Interessen in der BRD. In P. Kielmansegg (Ed.), Politische Vierteljahresschrift Sonderheft: 7/1976. Legitimationsprobleme Politischer Systeme: Tagung der Deutschen Vereinigung für Politische Wissenschaft in Du-isburg, Herbst 1975 (pp. 217–269). Opladen: Westdeutscher Verlag. Gawron, T., & Schäfer, R. (1976). Justiz und organisierte Interessen in der BRD. In P. Kielmansegg (Ed.), Politische Vierteljahresschrift Sonderheft: 7/1976. Legitimationsprobleme Politischer Systeme: Tagung der Deutschen Vereinigung für Politische Wissenschaft in Du-isburg, Herbst 1975 (pp. 217–269). Opladen: Westdeutscher Verlag.
go back to reference Grande, E. (2000). Multi-Level Governance: Institutionelle Besonderheiten und Funktionsbe-dingungen des europäischen Mehrebenensystems. In E. Grande & M. Jachtenfuchs (Eds.), Wie problemlösungsfähig ist die EU?: Regieren im europäischen Mehrebenensystem (pp. 11–25). Baden-Baden: Nomos. Grande, E. (2000). Multi-Level Governance: Institutionelle Besonderheiten und Funktionsbe-dingungen des europäischen Mehrebenensystems. In E. Grande & M. Jachtenfuchs (Eds.), Wie problemlösungsfähig ist die EU?: Regieren im europäischen Mehrebenensystem (pp. 11–25). Baden-Baden: Nomos.
go back to reference Gusy, C. (2015). Die Verfassungsbeschwerde. In R. C. van Ooyen & M. H. W. Möllers (Eds.), Handbuch Bundesverfassungsgericht im politischen System (2nd ed., pp. 333–347). Wiesbaden: Springer VS. Gusy, C. (2015). Die Verfassungsbeschwerde. In R. C. van Ooyen & M. H. W. Möllers (Eds.), Handbuch Bundesverfassungsgericht im politischen System (2nd ed., pp. 333–347). Wiesbaden: Springer VS.
go back to reference Hahn, L. (2019). Strategische Prozessführung. Zeitschrift Für Rechtssoziologie, 39(1), 5–32.CrossRef Hahn, L. (2019). Strategische Prozessführung. Zeitschrift Für Rechtssoziologie, 39(1), 5–32.CrossRef
go back to reference Helmrich, C. (2019). Wir wissen eigentlich gar nicht, was strategische Prozessführung ist. In A. Graser & C. Helmrich (Eds.), Strategic Litigation: Begriff und Praxis (pp. 31–35). Baden-Baden: Nomos.CrossRef Helmrich, C. (2019). Wir wissen eigentlich gar nicht, was strategische Prozessführung ist. In A. Graser & C. Helmrich (Eds.), Strategic Litigation: Begriff und Praxis (pp. 31–35). Baden-Baden: Nomos.CrossRef
go back to reference Hönnige, C. (2010). Beyond judicialization: Why we need more comparative research about constitutional courts. European Political Science, 10(3), 346–358.CrossRef Hönnige, C. (2010). Beyond judicialization: Why we need more comparative research about constitutional courts. European Political Science, 10(3), 346–358.CrossRef
go back to reference Hutter, S., & Grande, E. (2014). Politicizing Europe in the National Electoral Arena: A comparative analysis of five West European countries, 1970–2010. JCMS: Journal of Common Market Studies, 52(5), 1002–1018. Hutter, S., & Grande, E. (2014). Politicizing Europe in the National Electoral Arena: A comparative analysis of five West European countries, 1970–2010. JCMS: Journal of Common Market Studies, 52(5), 1002–1018.
go back to reference Ionescu, G., & de Madariaga, I. (1968). Opposition: Past and present of a political institution. London: Watts. Ionescu, G., & de Madariaga, I. (1968). Opposition: Past and present of a political institution. London: Watts.
go back to reference Kingdon, J. W. (2003). Agendas, alternatives, and public policies (2nd ed.). Longman classics in political science. New York: Longman. Kingdon, J. W. (2003). Agendas, alternatives, and public policies (2nd ed.). Longman classics in political science. New York: Longman.
go back to reference Klandermans, B. (1997). The social psychology of protest. Oxford and Cambridge: Blackwell. Klandermans, B. (1997). The social psychology of protest. Oxford and Cambridge: Blackwell.
go back to reference Klandermans, B. (2013). The dynamics of demand. In J. van Stekelenburg, C. Roggeband, & B. Klandermans (Eds.), The future of social movement research: Dynamics, mechanisms, and processes (pp. 3–16). Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.CrossRef Klandermans, B. (2013). The dynamics of demand. In J. van Stekelenburg, C. Roggeband, & B. Klandermans (Eds.), The future of social movement research: Dynamics, mechanisms, and processes (pp. 3–16). Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.CrossRef
go back to reference Kollman, K. (1998). Outside lobbying: Public opinion and interest group strategies. Princeton: Princeton University Press.CrossRef Kollman, K. (1998). Outside lobbying: Public opinion and interest group strategies. Princeton: Princeton University Press.CrossRef
go back to reference Kramm, L. (1986). Grundzüge einer Theorie der politischen Opposition. Zeitschrift Für Politik, 33(1), 33–43. Kramm, L. (1986). Grundzüge einer Theorie der politischen Opposition. Zeitschrift Für Politik, 33(1), 33–43.
go back to reference Lobel, J. (2003). Success without victory: Lost legal battles and the long road to justice in America. New York and London: New York University Press. Lobel, J. (2003). Success without victory: Lost legal battles and the long road to justice in America. New York and London: New York University Press.
go back to reference McCann, M. W. (2008). Litigation and legal mobilization. In K. E. Whittington (Ed.), The Oxford handbooks of political science (general ed.): Robert E. Goodin. The Oxford handbook of law and politics (pp. 522–540). Oxford: Oxford University Press. McCann, M. W. (2008). Litigation and legal mobilization. In K. E. Whittington (Ed.), The Oxford handbooks of political science (general ed.): Robert E. Goodin. The Oxford handbook of law and politics (pp. 522–540). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
go back to reference McCann, M. W. (2016). Legal mobilization and social reform movements: Notes on theory and its application. In M. W. McCann (Ed.), International library of essays in law and society: Law and social movements (pp. 3–32). London and New York: Routledge. McCann, M. W. (2016). Legal mobilization and social reform movements: Notes on theory and its application. In M. W. McCann (Ed.), International library of essays in law and society: Law and social movements (pp. 3–32). London and New York: Routledge.
go back to reference McCarthy, J. D., & Zald, M. N. (1977). Resource mobilization and social movements: A partial theory. The American Journal of Sociology, 82(6), 1212–1241.CrossRef McCarthy, J. D., & Zald, M. N. (1977). Resource mobilization and social movements: A partial theory. The American Journal of Sociology, 82(6), 1212–1241.CrossRef
go back to reference Pedriana, N. (2006). From protective to equal treatment: Legal framing processes and transformation of the women’s movement in the 1960s. American Journal of Sociology, 111(6), 1718–1761.CrossRef Pedriana, N. (2006). From protective to equal treatment: Legal framing processes and transformation of the women’s movement in the 1960s. American Journal of Sociology, 111(6), 1718–1761.CrossRef
go back to reference Pralle, S. B. (2003). Venue shopping, political strategy, and policy change: The internationalization of Canadian Forest Advocacy. Journal of Public Policy, 23(3), 233–260.CrossRef Pralle, S. B. (2003). Venue shopping, political strategy, and policy change: The internationalization of Canadian Forest Advocacy. Journal of Public Policy, 23(3), 233–260.CrossRef
go back to reference Princen, S. (2011). Agenda-setting strategies in EU policy processes. Journal of European Public Policy, 18(7), 927–943.CrossRef Princen, S. (2011). Agenda-setting strategies in EU policy processes. Journal of European Public Policy, 18(7), 927–943.CrossRef
go back to reference Putnam, R. D. (1994). Making democracy work: Civic traditions in modern Italy. Princeton: Princeton University Press.CrossRef Putnam, R. D. (1994). Making democracy work: Civic traditions in modern Italy. Princeton: Princeton University Press.CrossRef
go back to reference Rao, H. (2009). Market rebels: How activists make or break radical innovations. Princeton: Princeton University Press. Rao, H. (2009). Market rebels: How activists make or break radical innovations. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
go back to reference Rucht, D. (2008). The impact of national contexts on social movement structures: A cross-movement and cross-national comparison. In D. McAdam, J. D. McCarthy, & M. N. Zald (Eds.), Cambridge studies in comparative politics: Comparative perspectives on social movements: Political opportunities, mobilizing structures, and cultural framings (9th ed., pp. 185–204). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Rucht, D. (2008). The impact of national contexts on social movement structures: A cross-movement and cross-national comparison. In D. McAdam, J. D. McCarthy, & M. N. Zald (Eds.), Cambridge studies in comparative politics: Comparative perspectives on social movements: Political opportunities, mobilizing structures, and cultural framings (9th ed., pp. 185–204). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
go back to reference Salisbury, R. H. (1969). An exchange theory of interest groups. Midwest Journal of Political Science, 13(1), 1–32.CrossRef Salisbury, R. H. (1969). An exchange theory of interest groups. Midwest Journal of Political Science, 13(1), 1–32.CrossRef
go back to reference Sarat, A., & Scheingold, S. A. (Eds.). (2010a). Cause lawyers and social movements. Stanford: Stanford University Press. Sarat, A., & Scheingold, S. A. (Eds.). (2010a). Cause lawyers and social movements. Stanford: Stanford University Press.
go back to reference Sarat, A., & Scheingold, S. A. (2010b). What cause lawyers do for, and to, social movements. In A. Sarat & S. A. Scheingold (Eds.), Cause lawyers and social movements (pp. 1–34). Stanford, CA: Stanford Law and Politics. Sarat, A., & Scheingold, S. A. (2010b). What cause lawyers do for, and to, social movements. In A. Sarat & S. A. Scheingold (Eds.), Cause lawyers and social movements (pp. 1–34). Stanford, CA: Stanford Law and Politics.
go back to reference Sarat, A., & Scheingold, S. A. (Eds.). (2011). Oxford socio-legal studies. Cause lawyering: Political commitments and professional responsibilities. New York: Oxford University Press. Sarat, A., & Scheingold, S. A. (Eds.). (2011). Oxford socio-legal studies. Cause lawyering: Political commitments and professional responsibilities. New York: Oxford University Press.
go back to reference Scheingold, S. A. (2004). The politics of rights: Lawyers, public policy, and political change (2nd ed.). Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press.CrossRef Scheingold, S. A. (2004). The politics of rights: Lawyers, public policy, and political change (2nd ed.). Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press.CrossRef
go back to reference Schreier, C. (2011). Die Massenverfassungsbeschwerde beim Bundesverfassungsgericht: Versu-che der Revision von Rechtsnormen durch Bürgerinitiativen. Berlin. Schreier, C. (2011). Die Massenverfassungsbeschwerde beim Bundesverfassungsgericht: Versu-che der Revision von Rechtsnormen durch Bürgerinitiativen. Berlin.
go back to reference Schreier, C. (2013). Protest bis zur letzten Instanz - Massenverfassungsbeschwerden beim Bundesverfassungsgericht. In D. de Nève & T. Olteanu (Eds.), Politische Partizipation jen-seits der Konventionen (pp. 29–50). Opladen, Berlin, and Toronto: Barbara Budrich. Schreier, C. (2013). Protest bis zur letzten Instanz - Massenverfassungsbeschwerden beim Bundesverfassungsgericht. In D. de Nève & T. Olteanu (Eds.), Politische Partizipation jen-seits der Konventionen (pp. 29–50). Opladen, Berlin, and Toronto: Barbara Budrich.
go back to reference Shapiro, M. (1994). Juridicalization of Politics in the United States. International Political Science Review, 15(2), 101–112. Shapiro, M. (1994). Juridicalization of Politics in the United States. International Political Science Review, 15(2), 101–112.
go back to reference Thierse, S. (2019). Policy entrepreneurship in the European Parliament: Reconsidering the influence of rapporteurs. Journal of European Public Policy, 26(2), 267–285.CrossRef Thierse, S. (2019). Policy entrepreneurship in the European Parliament: Reconsidering the influence of rapporteurs. Journal of European Public Policy, 26(2), 267–285.CrossRef
go back to reference Thierse, S. (2020). Organisierte Interessen und Verfassungsbeschwerden vor dem Bundesverfassungsgericht. Politische Vierteljahresschrift, 61(3), 553–597. Thierse, S. (2020). Organisierte Interessen und Verfassungsbeschwerden vor dem Bundesverfassungsgericht. Politische Vierteljahresschrift, 61(3), 553–597.
go back to reference Tresch, A., & Fischer, M. (2015). In search of political influence: Outside lobbying behaviour and media coverage of social movements, interest groups and political parties in six Western European countries. International Political Science Review, 36(4), 355–372.CrossRef Tresch, A., & Fischer, M. (2015). In search of political influence: Outside lobbying behaviour and media coverage of social movements, interest groups and political parties in six Western European countries. International Political Science Review, 36(4), 355–372.CrossRef
go back to reference Tyler, T. R. (1987). Procedural justice research. Social Justice Research, 1(1), 41–65.CrossRef Tyler, T. R. (1987). Procedural justice research. Social Justice Research, 1(1), 41–65.CrossRef
go back to reference van Stekelenburg, J., & Klandermans, B. (2013). The social psychology of protest. Current Sociology Review, 61(5–6), 886–905.CrossRef van Stekelenburg, J., & Klandermans, B. (2013). The social psychology of protest. Current Sociology Review, 61(5–6), 886–905.CrossRef
go back to reference Walker, L., Lind, E. A., & Thibaut, J. (1979). The relation between procedural and distributive justice. Virginia Law Review, 65(8), 1401–1420.CrossRef Walker, L., Lind, E. A., & Thibaut, J. (1979). The relation between procedural and distributive justice. Virginia Law Review, 65(8), 1401–1420.CrossRef
go back to reference Weiss, A. (2019). The essence of strategic litigation. In A. Graser & C. Helmrich (Eds.), Strategic Litigation: Begriff und Praxis (pp. 27–30). Baden-Baden: Nomos.CrossRef Weiss, A. (2019). The essence of strategic litigation. In A. Graser & C. Helmrich (Eds.), Strategic Litigation: Begriff und Praxis (pp. 27–30). Baden-Baden: Nomos.CrossRef
go back to reference Zahariadis, N. (2003). Ambiguity and choice in public policy: Political decision making in modern democracies. Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press. Zahariadis, N. (2003). Ambiguity and choice in public policy: Political decision making in modern democracies. Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press.
go back to reference Zahariadis, N. (2008). Ambiguity and choice in European public policy. Journal of European Public Policy, 15(4), 514–530.CrossRef Zahariadis, N. (2008). Ambiguity and choice in European public policy. Journal of European Public Policy, 15(4), 514–530.CrossRef
go back to reference Zemans, F. K. (1983). Legal mobilization: The neglected role of the law in the political system. American Political Science Review, 77(3), 690–703.CrossRef Zemans, F. K. (1983). Legal mobilization: The neglected role of the law in the political system. American Political Science Review, 77(3), 690–703.CrossRef
Metadata
Title
Legal Mobilization as an Oppositional Strategy: From Individual Activation to Collective Action
Authors
Stefan Thierse
Sanja Badanjak
Copyright Year
2021
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-47162-0_5