How can analysis of 'credibility contests' help us understand where and when anti-minority activism is more likely to gain momentum?

Activism against ethnic, religious, sexual or other minorities is not an evenly-spaced challenge. Rather, at any given time, anti-minority mobilisations are likely to be more concentrated in particular cities, towns or even neighbourhoods. So why do some places become focal points for such activism at particular points in time, while other similar places do not? And what can we do to inhibit the ability of anti-minority activists to build support in any given place at any given time?

We argue that one way we can help to answer these questions is by understanding the ‘credibility contests’ in which anti-minority activists become engaged as they seek to build support.