Political violence: ideology, institutions, and individual motivations

Abstract

Why do people participate in political violence as members of insurgencies, paramilitary organizations, and state armies, particularly violence that targets civilians? And why do these organizations differ sharply in the violence they inflict on civilians? Individuals join an armed group for a wide variety of reasons, posing a challenge to the group, which must forge an organization with at least some level of cohesion and discipline. The group must both promote and yet also constrain violence. How can we best account for variation in patterns of violence against civilians, particularly in civil conflicts? Ideology is a necessary part of any answer to these questions.