Understanding the Legitimacy of Armed Groups: A Relational Perspective

TY - JOUR

T1 - Understanding the Legitimacy of Armed Groups: A Relational Perspective

AU - Podder, Sukanya

PY - 2017/7/26

Y1 - 2017/7/26

N2 - This paper analyses the multiple pathways through which legitimacy of armed groups is constructed in conflict-affected states. It adopts a political sociological approach to the study of armed group legitimacy. Such a strategy assists in identifying whether armed groups enjoy legitimacy in a given empirical context and avoids applying pre-determined normative criteria. The focus is on three types of relationships: civilian communities, the state or regime in power and external actors including regional and international sponsors, to discern which types of legitimacy matter for armed groups in different relationships.

AB - This paper analyses the multiple pathways through which legitimacy of armed groups is constructed in conflict-affected states. It adopts a political sociological approach to the study of armed group legitimacy. Such a strategy assists in identifying whether armed groups enjoy legitimacy in a given empirical context and avoids applying pre-determined normative criteria. The focus is on three types of relationships: civilian communities, the state or regime in power and external actors including regional and international sponsors, to discern which types of legitimacy matter for armed groups in different relationships.

U2 - 10.1080/09592318.2017.1322333

DO - 10.1080/09592318.2017.1322333

M3 - Article

SN - 0959-2318

VL - 28

JO - Small Wars and Insurgencies

JF - Small Wars and Insurgencies

IS - 4-5

ER -