Divided Not Conquered: How Rebels Fracture and Splinters Behave

Armed groups are highly unstable, with intense disagreements causing them to break apart. Evan Perkoski's book "Divided Not Conquered" analyzes how these groups fracture and how breakaway splinter groups behave. He draws on research from organizational studies to social psychology to show how these disputes uniquely shape the behavior and survivability of emerging splinters. Case studies of republican militants in Northern Ireland, Basque militants in Spain, and the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq are included.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 04 October 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

Terrorist, rebel, and insurgent groups are incredibly unstable, often torn apart by intense disagreements and fears of defeat. From Syria to Iraq, Ireland to Spain, these organizations have experienced divisions that have led to their decline or the formation of notorious and deadly organizations. In his book "Divided Not Conquered," Evan Perkoski delves into the mechanisms behind armed group fractures and the behavior of breakaway splinter groups.

Perkoski takes an unprecedented inside look at these organizations, exploring the specific disagreements that cause them to break apart. Drawing on research from organizational studies, social psychology, and analogies from business firms to religious sects, he demonstrates how these disputes shape the behavior and survivability of emerging splinters.

When motivated by single, shared disagreements, splinters exhibit higher cohesion, clearer objectives, and greater survivability. On the other hand, when motivated by strategy, splinters attract hardline operatives who steer the group towards increasingly lethal tactics and strategies.

Through case studies of republican militants in Northern Ireland, Basque militants in Spain, and the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq, Perkoski demystifies a complex yet common phenomenon with ramifications for counterinsurgency, counterterrorism, and our understanding of increasingly fragmented conflicts around the globe.

This book provides valuable insights into the dynamics of armed groups and their splintering, shedding light on the factors that contribute to their success or failure. It is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complex dynamics of contemporary conflicts.

Weight: 406g
Dimension: 235 x 154 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197627075