Armed Groups and International Legitimacy: Child Soldiers in Intra-State Conflict

This book examines the issue of child soldiers in order to understand how armed groups engage with international organizations to gain international legitimacy. It argues that armed groups engage with international organizations to show they are following the laws of war and establish a typology of which groups will engage with international actors and follow the laws of war. The main aim of the book is to understand the rationality of even the most violent of actors and to understand when and how armed groups can be encouraged to follow the laws of war.

Format: Hardback
Length: 220 pages
Publication date: 24 February 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive analysis delves into the complex issue of child soldiers, shedding light on how armed groups interact with international organizations to attain international legitimacy. By examining the contrasting behaviors of certain armed groups, the book aims to understand why some adhere to international humanitarian law while others deviate from it. Through a detailed examination of the topic, the volume establishes a typology that categorizes groups based on their engagement with international actors and adherence to the laws of war.

The primary objective of this book is to delve into the rationality of even the most violent actors and explore the circumstances under which armed groups can be encouraged to adhere to the laws of war. Drawing from extensive primary research conducted among armed groups in Syria and Myanmar, including al-Qaeda, the Islamic State, and numerous small ethnic insurgent groups, the book provides a rich and insightful perspective on the topic.

This book will appeal to students and scholars of war and conflict studies, security studies, international humanitarian law, and International Relations. Its comprehensive approach and valuable insights make it an essential resource for anyone seeking to understand the dynamics of child soldiers and the broader implications of armed group interactions with international organizations.

Weight: 494g
Dimension: 160 x 241 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367649319