Collective resilience against political violence and repression: an introduction

Political violence and repression have devastating consequences for civilian populations, including loss of life, social fragmentation, and long-term psychological and economic harm. While much research has focused on the adverse effects of collective victimisation—such as trauma, intergroup divisions, and mistrust—emerging work highlights the potential for resilience and adaptive responses to adversity. This chapter introduces the concept of collective resilience, emphasising its role in fostering recovery, solidarity, and constructive action in the face of violence. Drawing on diverse scholarly traditions, including social psychology and community development, collective resilience is defined as a group’s capacity to achieve positive outcomes despite systemic threats. The chapter critiques individualistic approaches to resilience, underscoring the significance of group-based processes that foster mutual support, collective action, and inclusive understandings of violence. By integrating perspectives from mental health, resistance, and peacebuilding, this chapter sets the stage for a broader exploration of how communities adapt to and transform in the aftermath of violence, offering a multidimensional framework for understanding resilience in conflict settings.