Defection Denied
A Study of Civilian Support for Insurgency in Irregular War

The Element assesses theories about wartime attitudes toward militant groups.

David S. Siroky (Author), Valery Dzutsati (Author), Lenka Bustikova (Author)

9781009016452, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 5 May 2022

110 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 0.7 cm, 0.18 kg

'This study develops our understanding of the role of civilians in conflict areas by conducting fieldwork during the actual period of conflict. Against this background, the study offers new insights into civil war studies, offering an innovative and counter-intuitive perspective on how civilian victimisation by conflict parties affects civilian support for one of the warring sides.' Edoardo Corradi, Europe-Asia Studies

How can researchers obtain reliable responses on sensitive issues in dangerous settings? This Element elucidates ways for researchers to use unobtrusive experimental methods to elicit answers to risky, taboo, and threatening questions in dangerous social environments. The methods discussed in this Element help social scientists to encourage respondents to express their true preferences and to reduce bias, while protecting them, local survey organizations, and researchers. The Element is grounded in an original study of civilian support for the jihadi insurgency in the Russian North Caucasus in Dagestan that assesses theories about wartime attitudes toward militant groups. We argue that sticky identities, security threats, and economic dependence curb the ability of civilians to switch loyalties.

1. Introduction
2. Dangerous Dagestan
3. Theory: Defection Denied
4. Which Experiment to Choose?
5. The Endorsement Experiment
6. Analysis
7. Conclusion.

Subject Areas: Political science & theory [JPA]