The Key to Political Success of Rebel Groups

How can rebel groups reach their goals? Max Abrahms explores this question in Rules for Rebels, analyzing numerous rebel groups through a mixed-methods approach that includes quantitative analysis, case studies, and field research. He primarily aims to demonstrate the importance of smart leadership as a condition of rebel groups’ political success against sovereign states. Abrahms argues that rebellions are more likely to reach their political goals when they attack the military targets of a state, rather than civilians. Abrahms does not study the psychological, social, or ideological factors that motivate rebels to kill civilians; instead, he predominantly focuses on the organizational structure of rebel groups (as leader organizations) and gives the leader responsibility for controlling the group's behavior. The book uncovers “three rules” for rebels to be successful. First, do not attack civilians, as doing so increases the probability of failure (p. 8). Second, and relatedly, restrain lower level

Computer security · Field (mathematics · Ideology · Key (lock · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Public relations · Sociology · Sovereignty · State (computer science · Computer Science · Political Conflict and Governance · Politics and Conflicts in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Middle East · Psychology · Terrorism, Counterterrorism, and Political Violence · Law · Social Psychology

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  Max Abrahms•International Security•2008

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  Martha Crenshaw•Comparative Politics•1981

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