Abstract
In this dissertation, I investigate militant targeting strategies, the determinants of support for militant groups, and types of militant propaganda. First, I explore whether the participation of armed actors in peace talks influences their strategy of targeting civilians. I show that belligerents engaged in negotiations incite more combatant and fewer civilian casualties in the enemy territory immediately before a scheduled international meeting. Second, I argue and provide experimental evidence that state oppression of activism boosts support for militancy, whilst activist propaganda promoting peaceful means diminishes support for it. Third, I examine militant propaganda and argue that rebels adjust their rhetoric depending on whether they are waging a war campaign. During periods of intensified war with the state, militants use emotional rhetoric, and during comparatively peaceful periods, they use ideological rhetoric. In order to address these questions, I collected novel territorial control data and monthly militant journals, in addition to conducting an in-person list experiment using video treatments.
Committee Chair
David Carter
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Author's Department
Political Science
Document Type
Dissertation
Date of Award
5-8-2024
Language
English (en)
DOI
https://doi.org/10.7936/jegn-4e94
Author's ORCID
0000-0003-2513-0103
Recommended Citation
Sener, Ipek Ece, "Three Essays on Dissident Behavior, Militant Propaganda and Support for Militancy" (2024). Arts & Sciences Theses and Dissertations. 3057.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.7936/jegn-4e94