POLS340 Schneckener (2006)

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary motivation of warlords and criminals in their political struggles?

To secure economic and commercial privileges (correct)

To instigate social reforms

To uphold socio-political agendas

To establish military dominance

How do terrorists primarily differ in their approach compared to guerrilla movements?

They use physical violence only.

They pursue economic gains exclusively.

They aim at political power and territory.

They focus more on psychological techniques. (correct)

What role do mercenaries and marauders primarily play in armed conflicts?

They engage mainly in physical violence for intimidation. (correct)

They prioritize ideological motivations.

They serve largely political interests.

They focus on community defense.

Which statement best captures the ambivalence of militias and warlords regarding violence?

Their approach to violence can vary based on circumstances. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes guerrilla movements from warlords and criminals in terms of motivations?

Guerrilla movements have socio-political agendas whereas warlords focus on economics. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of armed non-state actors?

They are willing and able to use violence. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is one potential strategy to reduce the capacities of armed non-state actors as 'spoilers'?

Promoting effective state-building and peacebuilding efforts. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which group is specifically identified as pursuing political, social-revolutionary, or ethno-nationalistic agendas?

Rebels or guerrilla fighters. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How can state officials be involved with armed non-state actors?

Through direct or indirect connections, often for personal interests. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What effect do armed non-state actors have on security governance in fragile states?

They can undermine formal state institutions. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How might rebels or guerrilla fighters portray themselves to gain protection under international law?

By wearing uniforms and emblems. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary factor differentiating various types of armed non-state actors?

The nature of their objectives and manifestations of violence. (C) Signup and view all the answers

In what context is understanding armed non-state actors particularly important?

In the analysis of fragile statehood and its security implications. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of non-state actor typically seeks to change the existing government or political system?

Terrorists (D) Signup and view all the answers

What motivation commonly drives warlords and criminals in their actions?

Securing status quo (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which group primarily behaves opportunistically, serving both status quo forces and challenging them?

Mercenaries (A) Signup and view all the answers

Terrorists generally have which type of aspirations concerning territory?

Creation of their own state (D) Signup and view all the answers

What type of violence do rebels and guerrilla movements primarily engage in?

Physical violence (D) Signup and view all the answers

Militia organizations may be assigned special tasks other than territorial control. Which of the following is an example of such a task?

Persecution of dissidents (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of these actors is more likely to operate within a defined territory?

Clan chiefs (D) Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes militias from mercenaries regarding their primary purpose?

Militias protect regimes, while mercenaries only seek profit. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a common result of collective learning among armed non-state actors?

They may change their strategies and preferences. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which strategy involves offering material incentives to armed non-state actors?

Bribery (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential benefit of granting amnesty to non-state actors?

It can serve as an incentive to end violence. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the aim of the containment and marginalisation strategy?

To isolate armed actors from their constituencies. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which group is most likely to respond positively to bribery as a strategy?

Warlords and criminals focused on profit (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a necessary condition for effective containment and marginalisation?

A broad consensus among political elites (D) Signup and view all the answers

In what context might amnesty be more appealing to certain armed groups?

When they recognize their weaknesses (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which strategy is regarded as politically and normatively questionable?

Bribery (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is one potential negative outcome of fragmenting armed groups into more moderate forces and hardliners?

An increase in extremism with radical fringe groups (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a common method used in coercion by international actors?

Deploying military or police operations (D) Signup and view all the answers

What must the international community be prepared for when implementing coercive measures?

To risk backlashes and failures (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why is it challenging for the international community to provide long-term support for state-building processes?

Prioritization often shifts to new crises (D) Signup and view all the answers

What are some instruments of coercive measures used by international actors?

Economic sanctions and travel bans (A) Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'political capital' refer to in the context of addressing armed non-state actors?

The influence and support necessary for effective intervention (D) Signup and view all the answers

In what way can involvement in a political process help in addressing armed groups?

It encourages factions to leave their groups or transition to political movements (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a reason that limits the mobilization of resources for addressing armed non-state actors?

High-level focus is solely on recent crises (D) Signup and view all the answers

Who was the Brazilian author known for his influence on guerrilla tactics?

Carlos Marighela (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which group was founded by Carlos Marighela?

Ação Libertadora Nacional (ALN) (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following regions is NOT mentioned as having clan-based societies?

Eastern Europe (C) Signup and view all the answers

What type of groups does the content specifically exclude?

Corrupt and autocratic politicians (D) Signup and view all the answers

The pro-Indonesian group 'Besi Merah Putih' operated in which region?

East Timor (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes local power structures in tribal societies that are often linked to conflict?

Warlordism (C) Signup and view all the answers

What group is known for violent actions against Kurdish populations?

Turkish Revenge Brigade (TIT) (D) Signup and view all the answers

In which country are the Tuaregs predominantly located?

Mali (C) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Fragile Statehood, Armed Non-State Actors and Security Governance

The state has a dual function: maintaining domestic order within its territory and creating a global order.
Ineffective, weak, failing, or failed states (fragile statehood) undermine both functions and cause problems nationally, regionally, and globally.
Fragile statehood is primarily a problem for governance within a state, and also for regional and global governance.
Until the early 2000s, fragile statehood was mainly of concern to development experts and agencies, only becoming a significant security issue after 9/11.
The concept of fragile statehood is now a major concern for security issues including issues such as the spread of AIDS and other epidemics, disaster prevention, poverty, resource distribution, and conflicts.
The UN report, 2004, identified 6 issues directly related to fragile statehood: economic, social, and ecological threats, interstate conflicts, intrastate conflicts, nuclear/radiological/biological/chemical weapons proliferation, terrorism, and transnational organized crime.
The US and EU have recognised failing and failed states as security threats.
Fragile states provide enabling factors, or catalysts for potential threats, and are obstructions to solving global security issues.

A Typology of Armed Non-State Actors

Armed non-state actors are those willing and able to use violence outside of formal state institutions.
Rebels/Guerrilla Fighters: fight for regime change, territorial secession, or end of occupation. Methods are typically non-confrontational guerrilla warfare in rural/mountainous areas. Support often comes from foreign governments.
Militias/Paramilitaries: local authorities, often created/funded by the state to combat other groups. Employ violence and may engage in human rights abuses.
Clan Chiefs/Big Men: traditional leaders of a tribe, clan, ethnic, or religious group. Control a territory; control a local area.
Warlords: Local strongmen who control territory during/after conflict. Gain power through private armies and resource control. Often seek to formalize their rule.
Terrorists: Use violence to achieve political goals, ideologically motivated, and widely dispersed.
Criminals: Organized groups engaging in illegal activity, often influencing politics to protect interests.
Mercenaries/Private Security Companies (PSCs): Volunteers, often with specific expertise, paid to fight in conflicts.
Marauders: Demobilized combatants engaging in looting, pillaging, and terrorizing civilians. Often have low organizational cohesion.

Dealing with Armed Non-State Actors

Strategies for managing armed non-state actors include:
Negotiation: Facilitators/mediators encourage de-escalation and compromise.
Socialisation: Instilling shared norms and rules for armed actors to follow.
Bribery: Offering incentives to stop violence.
Amnesty: Offering pardon for past actions to encourage surrender.
Containment: Isolating actors from followers/supporters.
Enforcing Splits: Creating divisions within groups.
Coercion: using force to end violence (threat or actual intervention).

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Description

This quiz explores the concept of fragile statehood and its implications for security governance. It addresses how ineffective governance within states can lead to regional and global security issues, particularly in the context of events post-9/11. Key areas of concern include economic, social, and ecological threats, as well as conflicts arising from fragile statehood.