E

Chapter 6 Lecture 1

Grading and Class Schedule

  • Grading Status

    • Nearly completed grading all exams.

    • They will be ready before Thursday.

    • Part of Thursday's class will be dedicated to reviewing answers, discussing successes and areas of improvement for future exams.

Introduction to Violence by Non-State Actors

  • Main Focus

    • Chapter discusses civil conflict and terrorism.

  • Visual Aid

    • Map showcasing recent civil conflicts (blue) and terrorist attacks (red dots).

    • Notable observations include a reduction in terrorist attacks in Europe and changes in dynamics in Afghanistan.

Patterns Observed in Conflicts

  • Middle East

    • High instances of civil conflict.

  • Correlation

    • Countries experiencing civil wars have more terrorist attacks.

    • Notion that civil conflict and terrorism often occur in poorer countries.

Overlap Between Civil Conflict and Terrorism

  • Reasons for Overlap:

    • Groups in civil conflict feel their needs are unmet and may turn to violence as a form of expression, including terrorism.

Defining Terrorism

  • Student Contributions:

    • Definition by Sophia: Political violence occurring with a political goal.

    • Expanded by another student: Ideological violence, including religious extremism.

  • Debated Points:

    • Attacks on non-combatants versus military targets.

    • American freedom fighter versus terrorist discussion indicates subjectivity.

Political Violence Definition Debate

  • Attacks on Non-Combatants:

    • Some argue terrorism must involve non-combatants.

    • Others argue against the necessity of targeting civilians for acts to be deemed terrorism.

  • Compassion and Cruelty:

    • Perspectives differ on the motivation behind acts of violence and what constitutes terrorism.

Asymmetrical Warfare

  • Definition of Asymmetrical Conflict:

    • Unequal power balance between combatants, often between a strong state and weaker rebel or terrorist groups.

  • Example Contexts:

    • U.S. military prowess versus capability of insurgent groups (e.g., groups in Iraq and Afghanistan).

Survival Tactics and Resilience Strategies

  • Key Tactics Used by Rebel Groups:

    • They engage in guerrilla warfare, utilizing hit and run tactics to conserve strength and resources.

    • Survive within civilian populations, making distinction between rebels and civilians challenging for state forces.

Nature of Terrorism as a Tactic

  • Terrorism as a Tactic:

    • Used by groups engaged in wider conflicts to achieve aims, separate from the state, control government, or expel foreign entities.

Case Study: Terrorism in the Philippines
  • Context:

    • Philippine Communist Party classified as a terrorist organization by both the Philippines and the U.S.

    • Tensions with separatist groups inspired by ISIS in the region led to incidents such as kidnappings.

Core Challenges Faced by Rebel Groups

  • Support and Resources:

    • Securing civilian support and avoiding government actions against them.

    • Funding mechanisms to sustain operations.

  • Property Conflict:

    • Need for control over territory and population's faith in the rebel groups versus the government.

Factors Leading to Civil Conflict

Group-Level Factors

  • Historical grievances:

    • Patterns of violence, collective actions, and cultural memories of resistance influence rebel group formation.

  • Political factors:

    • Feelings of exclusion and anger towards oppressive governance spark conflicts.

Country-Level Factors

  • State Weakness:

    • Civil conflict more prevalent in weak states that cannot quell dissent or effectively govern.

    • Unstable governments increase the likelihood of rebellion.

  • Terrain Features:

    • Geographic conditions, such as mountains, can provide cover for insurgent activities.

International Contexts

  • Cross-Border Influences:

    • Civil unrest in neighboring countries leads to spillover effects.

    • Support from foreign states can give rebel groups additional resources and incentives.

Civil Wars and the Concept of Bargaining Failure

  • Concept of Bargaining Failure:

    • Failure to reach agreements or settlements often triggers civil wars.

  • Types of Bargaining Failures:

    • Credible commitment problems, incomplete information, and indivisibility (territories or grievances seen as non-negotiable).

Case Study: Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

  • Indivisibility Issues:

    • Competing claims to Jerusalem, security concerns, and historical grievances contribute to ongoing tensions.

Conclusion and Perspectives for Discussion

  • Future Discussions:

    • Follow up on civil wars and conflict dynamics in various regions.

    • Engage with the role of external influences and motivations behind civil unrest in global contexts.

  • Impact of Civil Conflicts:

    • Recognizing long-term social, economic, and governance challenges that stem from ongoing violence and unrest.