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Accounting for the Unaccounted: Weak-Actor Social Structure in Asymmetric Wars.

Authors :
Findley, Michael G.
Edwards, Scott
Source :
International Studies Quarterly; Sep2007, Vol. 51 Issue 3, p583-606, 24p, 1 Chart
Publication Year :
2007

Abstract

This paper addresses a puzzle of how conflicts characterized by significant power asymmetries often play out much differently than dominant powers expect. We adapt the notions of institutionalized peace and riot systems from the literature on ethnic violence to identify ways in which social institutions attenuate collective action dilemmas, thereby increasing capability for a less-powerful group. Dominant groups often miscalculate the true nature of capability relationships by failing to account for these group-specific institutions that operate in the face of exogenous threats. We illustrate our model with two episodes of Chechen mobilization in the 1990s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
00208833
Volume :
51
Issue :
3
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
International Studies Quarterly
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
26218918
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2478.2007.00465.x