Rules for rebels : the science of victory in militant history / Max Abrahms.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Abrahms, Max, author.

Series:

Oxford scholarship online.

Oxford scholarship online

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Religious minorities--Civil rights.

Religious minorities.

Religious militants--History.

Religious militants.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (298 pages)

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

Oxford : Oxford University Press, 2019.

Summary:

Ever wonder why militant groups behave as they do? For instance, why did Al Qaeda attack the World Trade Center whereas the African National Congress tried to avoid civilian bloodshed? Why does Islamic State brag over social media about its gory attacks, while Hezbollah denies responsibility or even apologizes for its carnage? This text shows that militant group behaviour depends on the tactical intelligence of the leaders. The author has extensively studied the political plights of hundreds of militant groups throughout world history and reveals that successful militant leaders have followed three rules. These rules are based on original insights from the fields of political science, psychology, criminology, economics, management, marketing, communication, and sociology. It turns out there's a science to victory in militant history. But even rebels must follow rules.

Contents:

Introduction : the stupid terrorist

My West Bank discovery

Testing the strategic model of terrorism

Terrorism success stories revisited

Correspondence of means and ends bias

How terrorism expedites organizational demise

What smart leaders know

Principal-agent problems in militant groups

Cultivating task cohesion

The structure of success

The benefits of centralizing

When elephants rampage

Denial of organizational involvement

Denial of principal intent

Conclusion : the future of terrorism.

Notes:

Description based on print version record.

This edition previously issued in print: 2018.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780192539434

9780191848438