Elite Identification in Collective Protest Movements: A Reconsideration of The Reputational Method with Application to The Palestinian Intifada

Abstract

Identifying and studying the role of political leaders in low-intensity collective protest movements with informal leadership structure poses extraordinary challenges. This article argues that the procedures associated with the reputational school of power are useful, particularly when the procedures are made more reliable and sophisticated. By selecting a panel of judges according to specific criteria it is possible to ensure that presumably knowledgeable persons are included, to explore whether the panel design is biased, and even to test whether the perceptions of the judges are accurate. It is also possible to identify the leaders using additional indicators ofprominence than reputed influence. The article is based on the author's experience ident65 ing the "spokespersons" of the Palestinian intifada