POLS340 Schneckener (2006)

Armed groups who actively engage in violence to achieve their goals, but are independent from formal state institutions like the military or police.

A state characterized by weak institutions, a lack of control over its territory, and a failure to provide basic services to its citizens.

The ways in which security is managed and enforced within a state, particularly in relation to non-state actors, particularly in the context of fragile states.

Armed groups, like warlords and criminals, who prioritize economic gain over political agendas. They use power and violence primarily to secure wealth and commercial advantages.

Groups that aim to overthrow a government, achieve independence for a region, or end oppression. They often see themselves as the future military of a liberated society.

These actors, like guerrilla movements and militias, claim to fight for a cause, but need financial resources to achieve their socio-political goals.

The ways in which armed non-state actors can disrupt or undermine state-building and peacebuilding efforts.

Groups like marauders and criminals, who primarily use violence as a means of intimidation or to secure personal gain.

The ability and willingness of armed non-state actors to use violence to achieve their goals.

The practice of classifying armed non-state actors based on their motivations, goals, and strategies.

Groups like clan chiefs or mercenaries, who focus on using physical violence to overcome opponents, often for financial gain.

The ways in which states may provide support, whether openly or secretly, to armed non-state actors.

Actors who use both physical and psychological violence depending on the situation and their goals. Their actions can include intimidation, physical attacks, and manipulating fear.

Armed groups with goals to overthrow the current system, often demanding changes in government, political structure, or borders.

Armed groups focused on upholding the existing power structure, often working to maintain their current dominance.

Groups that seek to control and hold a specific territory, often aiming for permanent control.

Groups that operate without a specific territory and focus on other objectives instead.

Violence used to directly inflict harm and damage on individuals or property.

Methods of attack using psychological manipulation, fear, intimidation, or propaganda to achieve goals.

Groups primarily driven by aims to change the existing political and societal structures.

Groups often employed for their military capabilities, typically hired to fight for a specific purpose or cause.

The process by which armed non-state actors adapt to the existing political system, gradually accepting its norms and rules.

Armed non-state actors learn and adapt to the political landscape through continuous interaction with stakeholders, ultimately changing their strategies and possibly their preferences and identity.

Using material incentives like money or positions of power to persuade or silence spoilers to participate in peacebuilding efforts.

Granting pardon for past offenses committed by non-state actors, potentially serving as an incentive to lay down arms and join the peace process.

This strategy aims to minimize the influence of non-state actors by isolating them from their supporters and marginalizing them in the political system.

This strategy involves systematically isolating armed non-state actors from their followers and constituencies, aiming to weaken their political and ideological influence.

This strategy involves gaining support from political elites and societal groups to engage in a peacebuilding process without engaging with spoilers, thereby undermining their influence.

This strategy involves strategically responding to spoilers' violent provocations by refusing to engage with them and instead focusing on maintaining a peaceful process, aiming to weaken their influence.

A state that lacks the ability to effectively control its territory, enforce laws, and provide basic services to its citizens.

A group that aims to overthrow a government, achieve independence for a region, or end oppression.

A group that uses violence to achieve economic gain, often through intimidation and control of resources.

Armed groups that operate within a specific geographic territory, often using clan or tribal ties to build support.

Groups that rely heavily on local connections and resources for their operations, often engaging in illicit activities like drug trafficking or resource extraction.

The deliberate attempt to split an armed group into factions, often by offering incentives to leadership, that can lead to even more radical sub-groups.

Involves using forceful measures to combat armed groups like military operations, deployment of international troops, or economic sanctions.

The use of military operations and police actions aimed at neutralizing or capturing members of armed groups.

The deployment of international forces to stabilize a post-conflict situation, often in the form of peacekeeping missions.

The implementation of sanctions meant to harm the economic and political interests of armed groups, examples being arms embargoes or freezing of foreign assets.

The tendency of the international community, especially the UN Security Council, to prioritize immediate crises over long-term stability.

Limited availability of resources, especially military, economic, and personnel, means that not every conflict can get equal attention or support.

The extent to which countries are politically committed to supporting efforts to address instability and conflict.