This document outlines the syllabus for a political science course on political violence. It introduces various topics that will be covered in the class, including different types of political violence (e.g. revolutions, terrorism), institutions and ideas that can promote political violence, and theoretical explanations for political violence (e.g. relative deprivation, resource mobilization, rational choice). Students will be asked to define key terms in groups and share their discussions with the class. The syllabus provides definitions and examples of different types of revolutions and terrorism, as well as strategies that can be used by terrorist organizations.

1. POL 252-01
Fall 2015

3. INSTRUCTIONS:
What comes to mind when you think of “political violence?”
In groups of two, write down associated terms and concepts.
Group your thoughts into categories
(e.g. types of violence; causes of violence)
and be ready to share with the class.

5.  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

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

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

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

13. 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

14. 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.

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

20.  (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.”

23.  #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

24.  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

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

26.  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”

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

35.  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