전환기 동독 주민의 집단행동 분석과 함의: ‘이탈-항의 다이내믹스’를 중심으로

Abstract

This study seeks to analyze the large-scale collective actions undertaken by East German citizens during the collapse of the regime based on the theoretical framework of “exit-voice dynamics.” This framework offers a valuable perspective for understanding the emergence of abrupt and extensive collective actions within repressive dictatorship. By conceptualizing “exit” and “voice” as alternative forms of dissent, the exit-voice dynamic model enables an examination of how high-cost exits can shape collective mobilization. Drawing on the theoretical proposition that mass exits can amplify protest behavior, this study highlights the ‘signaling effect’ of widespread societal discontent. Exit, therefore, is not merely a substitute for voice, but rather a dynamic variable that may catalyze collective action depending on its magnitude and contextual conditions. The analysis suggests that under dictatorship, the emergence of viable exit options may foster an environment conducive to increased protest and resistance. Through an empirical examination of the East German case, the study further argues that when widespread public grievances converge with accessible avenues for exit—such as open borders or migration corridors—similar patterns of exit-voice interaction may arise in other closed regimes, including North Korea, with potential implications for mass mobilization and political transformation.