Diplomatic Statements and the Strategic Use of Terrorism in Civil Wars

Author:

Levy Gabriella1,Dudley Rebecca2ORCID,Chen Chong3ORCID,Siegel David A.4ORCID

Affiliation:

1. Center for Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA

2. Department of Political Science, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA

3. School of Social Sciences, Tsinghua University, China

4. Department of Political Science and the Sanford School of Public Policy, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA

Abstract

How does third-party diplomatic and material support affect rebel groups’ use of terrorism in civil wars? We argue via a game-theoretic model that diplomatic support prompts prospective shifts in rebel tactics, from civilian to military targets, in anticipation of material support, while material support alters the cost structure of attacks, leading to the same tactical shift. We empirically test the model’s implications using an original dataset of UN resolutions about countries in civil wars as well as a case study of South Africa. In support of our theory, we find that both diplomatic resolutions and material interventions in favor of the rebels are associated with rebel tactical shifts, leading to decreased reliance on violence against civilians. These findings demonstrate the value of modeling civilian and military targeting as substitutes rather than examining civilian targeting in isolation.

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Reference88 articles.

1. Action or inaction: United Nations Security Council activity, 1994–2013

2. ANC and Sizwe UW. 1980. “Statement on Siging Declaration, on Behalf of the ANC and Umkhonto We Sizwe, Adhering to the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and Protocol 1 of 1977.” https://omalley.nelsonmandela.org/index.php/site/q/03lv02424/04lv02730/05lv02918/06lv02979.htm

3. Mostly Harmless Econometrics

4. Rivalry and Revenge

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