This document outlines the syllabus for a political science course on political violence. It introduces various topics that will be covered in the class, including different types of political violence (e.g. revolutions, terrorism), institutions and ideas that can promote political violence, and theoretical explanations for political violence (e.g. relative deprivation, resource mobilization, rational choice). Students will be asked to define key terms in groups and share their discussions with the class. The syllabus provides definitions and examples of different types of revolutions and terrorism, as well as strategies that can be used by terrorist organizations.
3. INSTRUCTIONS:
What comes to mind when you think of “political violence?”
In groups of two, write down associated terms and concepts.
Group your thoughts into categories
(e.g. types of violence; causes of violence)
and be ready to share with the class.
4.
5. Institutions
Subtypes: Political, Economic, Social
How do they promote political violence?
Ideas
How do they promote political violence?
Relationship to Status Quo
Individuals
How do they promote political violence?
Psychology vs. Rationality
6.
7.
8. State Citizens
State InterstateWar Law Enforcement,
Oppression
Citizens Insurgency, Coup,
Revolution
Terrorism, Crime
Target of
Violence
Initiator of
Violence
9.
10. “Normal” form of contentious politics
What is civil society?
Organization over time with common purpose
Leadership and grassroots elements
11.
12. How should we define this term?
Duration? Actors? Goals? Result?
Types of Revolutions:
Social
Political
Anti-Colonial
“ThirdWorld”
13. SOCIAL REVOLUTION
Major changes in societal
distribution of power and
resources
Example: Marxism
Proletariat vs. Bourgeoisie
Result: Socialism
POLITICAL REVOLUTION
Changes political structures
Sudden events
What is a coup d’etat?
Importance of Coups
Why do coups happen?
▪ #1: Society
▪ #2: Military Organization
▪ #3: Military Leader
14. ANTI-COLONIAL REVOLUTION
Individuals or groups rise
up against colonial rulers
“THIRDWORLD” REVOLUTION
Occur in developing world
Overlap with political and
social revolutions
Should this really be a
separate category?
The decade-long Maputo Revolution
in Mozambique ended Portuguese rule.
15.
16.
17. Many types of activity fall under this category
Guerilla Warfare, Riots, Resistance Movements
What is guerilla warfare?
What are riots?
18.
19.
20. (1)Who or what is perpetuating violence
(2)Who or what is target of violence
(3) Goals, purposes, consequences of actions
Does your definition meet these criteria?
How about this definition?
“Terrorism is the deliberate creation and exploitation
of fear through violence or the threat of violence in
the pursuit of political change.”
21.
22.
23. #1: Changing Existing Order
Recognition of human rights
Destroying institutions
Furthering individual and/or group goals
#2: Psychological Disruption
#3: Social Disruption
#4: Creating Revolutionary Environment
State overreacts Public views State as repressive
Rebellion occurs
24. What is the goal?
DemonstrativeTerrorism – “Show” ofViolence
DestructiveTerrorism – ActualViolence
Who are the targets?
StateTerrorism
▪ Governments against enemies; Internal or External
DissidentTerrorism
▪ Nonstate actors against government, organized religion
ReligiousTerrorism
▪ Defend ”true” faith, non-believers are targets
InternationalTerrorism
▪ Global Perspective;Targets have international appeal
25. What strategies can terrorists employ?
Coercion
Provocation
Spoiling
Outbidding
26. Coercion
Policy change through threatening target
Civilian deaths and casualties; Directed at Democracies
Provocation
Provoke response from target govt. (e.g. 9/11)
Uncertainty at home and target response
Spoiling
Sabotage talks between target and home moderates
Can opposition really be trusted?
Outbidding
Networks compete for political support
“Anything you can terrorize, I can terrorize better”
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32. “Weapons of theWeak”
Work slowdowns, stoppages, boycotts, etc.
Marginalized groups gain political
participation
33.
34.
35. Relative Deprivation and Social Disequilibrium
What is relative deprivation?
Disrupt Equilibrium Discontent Revolution
Resource Mobilization and Political Opportunities
What is absolute deprivation?
Importance of State breakdown
Rational Choice
Individual Decision-Making
What is the “free-rider” problem?
Cultural Explanations
What is a frame? Where do they come from?
Revolutions through citizen/societal discontent