A Turn to Violence

The Escalation of Nonviolent Movements

Bibliographic Data

ID6283744
AuthorsKirssa Cline Ryckman (0000-0002-4007-5686, University of Arizona, corresponding author)
Year2020
Volume64
Issue2-3
Pages318-343
Publication date2020-02-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Conflict Resolution (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0022-0027 • E-ISSN: 1552-8766
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/0022002719861707
OpenAlexW2960353401
LanguageEN
Citations received31
References cited35

Nonviolent resistance can be a powerful tool for ordinary civilians to transform their governments; however, not all nonviolent movements end in success and many ultimately escalate into violent conflicts. To understand this escalatory process, I begin with the premise that social movements are not unitary actors but a collection of groups with varied preferences on goals and tactics. I argue that escalation is likely when movements have violence-wielding groups among their varied factions, as these groups deal in violence, believe in its utility, and can make the strategic decision to engage in violence as needed. I argue this is particularly likely when the campaign fails to make progress using nonviolent channels, suggesting that nonviolent tactics will not be successful to achieve the group’s goals. Expectations are tested using the Nonviolent and Violent Campaigns and Outcomes data and the case of Algeria’s escalation from a nonviolent movement to brutal civil war, and results are generally supportive

Criminology · De-escalation · Escalation of commitment · Political science · Politics · Premise · Resistance (ecology · Social movement · Sociology · Law · Political Conflict and Governance · Politics and Conflicts in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Middle East · Psychology · Social Psychology · Terrorism, Counterterrorism, and Political Violence

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Open DOISci-HubOpen Access