Explaining Hezbollah's Effectiveness

Internal and External Determinants of the Rise of Violent Non-State Actors

Bibliographic Data

ID4087992
AuthorsMarc R Devore (University of St Andrews, corresponding author), Armin B Stähli, Armin Stähli (University of St.Gallen)
Year2015
Volume27
Issue2
Pages331-357
Publication date2015-03-15
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueTerrorism and Political Violence (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0954-6553 • E-ISSN: 1556-1836
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/09546553.2013.808194
OpenAlexW2030765172
LanguageEN
Citations received12
References cited9

Few issues are more important to scholars of security studies than understanding the impact of state sponsorship on the capabilities of non-state armed actors. The subject of our study—Lebanon's Hezbollah—was selected based on its reputation amongst scholars and policymakers alike as an exceptionally capable organization. In our inquiry, we seek to answer the following questions about Hezbollah's rapid emergence during the 1980s as one of the world's premier armed non-state actors: (a) how did Iranian sponsorship contribute to Hezbollah's effectiveness?; and (b) to what extent did Hezbollah's success depend on characteristics endogenous to the organization itself? To preview our conclusions, state sponsorship can contribute markedly to non-state actors' capabilities by providing resources and sanctuary. However, the ultimate effectiveness of non-state armed groups depends heavily on such internal characteristics as their decision-making processes and members' backgrounds. Thus, while state support may be necessary for non-state actors to achieve their goals, it is insufficient as a guarantee of their effectiveness

Business · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Public relations · Reputation · Sociology · State security · Computer Science · Law · Middle East Politics and Society · Political Conflict and Governance · Terrorism, Counterterrorism, and Political Violence

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