This document outlines topics to be covered in a POL 302 course on political violence. It will examine: (1) how institutions, ideas, and individuals promote political violence; (2) forms of contentious politics like revolutions and terrorism; (3) factors that influence revolutions and terrorism such as relative deprivation and resource mobilization; and (4) strategies used in terrorism like coercion and provocation. The course will analyze different types of revolutions including social, political, anti-colonial, and "third world" revolutions, as well as define and compare concepts relevant to the study of political violence.

1. POL 302
Spring 2018

4.  Institutions
 Subtypes: Political, Economic, Social
 How do they promote political violence?
 Ideas
 How do they promote political violence?
 Relationship to Status Quo
 Individuals
 How do they promote political violence?
 Psychology vs. Rationality

6. State Citizens
State InterstateWar Law Enforcement,
Oppression
Citizens Insurgency, Coup,
Revolution
Terrorism, Crime
Target of
Violence
Initiator of
Violence

8.  “Normal” form of contentious politics
 What is civil society?
 Organization over time with common purpose
 Leadership and grassroots elements

10.  How should we define this term?
 Duration? Actors? Goals? Result?
 Types of Revolutions:
 Social
 Political
 Anti-Colonial
 “ThirdWorld”

11. SOCIAL REVOLUTION
 Major changes in societal
distribution of power and
resources
 Example: Marxism
 Proletariat vs. Bourgeoisie
 Result: Socialism
POLITICAL REVOLUTION
 Changes political structures
 Sudden events
 What is a coup d’etat?
 Importance of Coups
 Why do coups happen?
▪ #1: Society
▪ #2: Military Organization
▪ #3: Military Leader

12. ANTI-COLONIAL REVOLUTION
 Individuals or groups rise
up against colonial rulers
“THIRDWORLD” REVOLUTION
 Occur in developing world
 Overlap with political and
social revolutions
 Should this really be a
separate category?
The decade-long Maputo Revolution
in Mozambique ended Portuguese rule.

14.  Many types of activity fall under this category
 Guerilla Warfare, Riots, Resistance Movements
 What is guerilla warfare?
 What are riots?

16.  (1)Who or what is perpetuating violence
 (2)Who or what is target of violence
 (3) Goals, purposes, consequences of actions
 Does your definition meet these criteria?
 How about this definition?
 “Terrorism is the deliberate creation and exploitation
of fear through violence or the threat of violence in
the pursuit of political change.”

17.  #1: Changing Existing Order
 Recognition of human rights
 Destroying institutions
 Furthering individual and/or group goals
 #2: Psychological Disruption
 #3: Social Disruption
 #4: Creating Revolutionary Environment
 State overreacts  Public views State as repressive 
Rebellion occurs

18.  What is the goal?
 DemonstrativeTerrorism – “Show” ofViolence
 DestructiveTerrorism – ActualViolence
 Who are the targets?
 StateTerrorism
▪ Governments against enemies; Internal or External
 DissidentTerrorism
▪ Nonstate actors against government, organized religion
 ReligiousTerrorism
▪ Defend ”true” faith, non-believers are targets
 InternationalTerrorism
▪ Global Perspective;Targets have international appeal

19.  What strategies can terrorists employ?
 Coercion
 Provocation
 Spoiling
 Outbidding

20.  Coercion
 Policy change through threatening target
 Civilian deaths and casualties; Directed at Democracies
 Provocation
 Provoke response from target govt. (e.g. 9/11)
 Uncertainty at home and target response
 Spoiling
 Sabotage talks between target and home moderates
 Can opposition really be trusted?
 Outbidding
 Networks compete for political support
 “Anything you can terrorize, I can terrorize better”

22.  “Weapons of theWeak”
 Work slowdowns, stoppages, boycotts, etc.
 Marginalized groups gain political
participation

25.  Relative Deprivation and Social Disequilibrium
 What is relative deprivation?
 Disrupt Equilibrium  Discontent  Revolution
 Resource Mobilization and Political Opportunities
 What is absolute deprivation?
 Importance of State breakdown
 Rational Choice
 Individual Decision-Making
 What is the “free-rider” problem?
 Cultural Explanations
 What is a frame? Where do they come from?
 Revolutions through citizen/societal discontent