Civil War and Intrastate Armed Conflict
Changing Dynamics in International Perspective

A thematic, comprehensive examination of the causes, nature, and impact of intrastate armed conflict using recent research, case studies, and data.

Karl DeRouen Jr. (Author), Edward Newman (Author), Paul Bellamy (Author)

9781009224857, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 12 June 2025

552 pages
25.1 x 17.4 x 3.1 cm, 1.16 kg

'I've been teaching civil conflict for a while now and I think this text is an invaluable reference for conflict scholars and an ideal textbook for the undergraduate classroom. So, Congratulations to the authors for an outstanding work!' Weiss Mehrabi, Centre College

Civil wars and intrastate armed conflict are the predominant form of organized violence in the contemporary era. Beyond their direct devastating impact, they fundamentally change societies and are linked to broader global issues and challenges. Taking a thematic approach with a focus on conflict management and peacebuilding, this accessible textbook, written for post-graduate and senior undergraduate courses, engages with recent research and comprehensive data to explore the nature of civil war and violent intrastate conflict. With analysis of current and historical conflicts integrated into the chapter coverage, helpful features include boxes highlighting key cases and topics, discussion points opening each chapter, graphs that illustrate important trends, photographs of significant conflicts, suggested readings for each chapter, and a timeline signposting major conflict and security events since 1945. Online resources are provided as an accessible entry point to topics for instructors, students and researchers from different backgrounds, including those less familiar with data.

Preface
Acknowledgements
List of Abbreviations
1. Introduction
2. Debates and Approaches in Researching and Studying Civil War
3. Impact of Civil War and Intrastate Conflict
4. Causes of Civil War
5. Natural Resources and Intrastate Conflict
6. Proxy War and Internationalized Intrastate Conflict
7. Insurgency, Rebel Governance and Counterinsurgency
8. Atrocities and Violence in Civil War
9. Termination of Civil War and Post-Conflict Challenges
10. International Intervention, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding
11. Terrorism, Civil War and Intrastate Conflict
12. Conclusion: Policy Implications for Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding
Brief Timeline of Civil Wars and Related Events
Appendices
Glossary of key UCDP conflict terms
References
Index.

Subject Areas: International relations [JPS]