Understanding and influencing public support for insurgency and terrorism / Paul K. Davis ... [et al.] ; prepared for the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

• Author: National Defense Research Institute (U.S.)
• TeilnehmendeR: Davis, Paul K., 1943-; National Defense Research Institute (U.S.); Rand Corporation.
• Year of Publication: 2012
• Language: English
• Series: Rand Corporation monograph series
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (271 p.)
• Notes: Description based upon print version of record.

Using and testing a conceptual model that draws on social science and particularly social movement theory, this volume examines public support for al-Qa'ida's transnational jihadist movement, the Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan, the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in Turkey, and the...

Table of Contents

• Cover; Title Page; Copyright; Preface; Contents; Figures; Tables; Summary; Acknowledgments; Chapter One: Introduction; Background; Objectives and Approach; Seeing the Work in a System Context; Concepts of Validation and Improvement; Challenges; Approach; Structure of the Monograph; Chapter Two: A Conceptual Model; The Concept of Factor Trees; Initial Factor Trees for the Study; Enhancements Drawn from Social Movement Theory; Major Elements of Social Movement Theory; Using the Elements as a Diagnostic Lens; The Final Conceptual Model of Our Study; Anticipating Conclusions; The Narrative
• The Relative Importance of Factors Future Research: Modeling the Extent of Influence; Appendix to Chapter Two; Chapter Three: The Case of al-Qa'ida; Introduction; Purpose and Background; Methodology; A Factor Tree for Public Support of al-Qa'ida; Attractions; Perceived Legitimacy of Violence; Acceptability of Costs and Risks; Effectiveness of the Organization: Public Support Through the Lens of Social Movement Theory; Al-Qa'ida's Vulnerabilities; Conclusions; Chapter Four: Public Support for the Taliban Insurgency in Afghanistan; Introduction; Purpose; Methodology; Background
• Empirical Content Analysis Structuring the Data; Frequency of Factor Mentions and Co-Occurrences; Factors Affecting Public Support; Motivations; Perceived Legitimacy of Violence; Acceptability of Costs and Risks; Effectiveness of the Organization: Public Support Through the Lens of Social Movement Theory; Conclusions; Chapter Five: Public Support for the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in Turkey; Introduction; Background and Purpose; Methodology; Factors Affecting Public Support; Motivations for Supporting Group or Cause; Perceived Legitimacy of Violence; Acceptability of Costs and Risks
• Effectiveness of the Organization: Public Support Through the Lens of Social Movement Theory Conclusions; Appendix to Chapter Five: Selected Events in the PKK Insurgency; Chapter Six: Public Support for the Maoists in Nepal 3; Introduction; Purpose; Methodology; Background; Factors Affecting Public Support; Motivations for Supporting the Group or Cause; Perceived Legitimacy of Violence; Acceptability of Costs and Risks; Effectiveness of the Organization: Public Support Through the Lens of Social Movement Theory; Conclusions
• Appendix to Chapter Six: Timeline of Historical Events in the Maoist Insurgency in Nepal Chapter Seven: Comparisons and Implications for Analysis of Strategy; Model Assessment and Comparisons Across Cases; Linking Conclusions to Strategy with a Model of Persuasive Communications; Real-World Events and Messages; Alternate Information Channels; Individual-Level Factors; Macro-, Meso-, and Micro-Level Strategy Options; Macro- or Societal-Level Options; Meso- or Factional-Level Options; Micro- or Individual-Level Options; Suggestions for Applied Analysis of Strategy in a Context
• Implications for Further Research and Analysis