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.