The frontlines have shifted: explaining the persistence of pro-state militias after civil war

Shaw, D. O. and Aliyev, H. (2021) The frontlines have shifted: explaining the persistence of pro-state militias after civil war. Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, (doi: 10.1080/1057610X.2021.2009633) (Early Online Publication)

Abstract

Many ceasefire and peace agreements stipulate the disarmament and demobilization of pro-state armed groups involved in the conflict, yet few of these groups ever completely demobilize. This study seeks to explain the process of incomplete demobilization by advancing a theoretical argument that pro-state armed groups are least likely to disarm and demobilize when the monopoly on violence is fragmented, and when there is relative balance of capabilities and interests between the government and pro-state armed groups. Under these circumstances, both governments and pro-state armed groups may favor incomplete demobilization enabling them to pursue their strategic objectives. We draw on unique interview data with pro-state paramilitaries from Ukraine to empirically illustrate our theoretical expectations.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Early Online Publication
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Shaw, Mr Daniel and Aliyev, Dr Huseyn
• Authors: Shaw, D. O., and Aliyev, H.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences; College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Central and East European Studies
• Journal Name: Studies in Conflict and Terrorism
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• ISSN: 1057-610X
• ISSN (Online): 1521-0731
• Published Online: 29 November 2021
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2021 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Studies in Conflict and Terrorism 2021
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
305768		Dynamics of paramilitary disengagement	Huseyn Aliyev	British Academy (BRITACAD)	Aliyev_SRG1819190334	S&PS - Central and East European Studies