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

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.

List of contents

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

Summary

In an original study of civilian support for the jihadi insurgency in the Russian North Caucasus in Dagestan, this Element 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.

Product details

• Authors: Lenka Bustikova, Valery Dzutsati, David S. Siroky, David S. (Arizona State University) Dzutsa Siroky
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press ELT
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 31.12.2021
• EAN: 9781009016452
• ISBN: 978-1-0-0901645-2
• No. of pages: 75
• Series: Elements in Experimental Political Science
• Subjects: Social sciences, law, business > Political science > Political science and political education; POLITICAL SCIENCE / Constitutions, Constitution: government & the state, Constitution: government and the state