"Political violence is violence which is perpetrated in order to achieve political goals."
Examination of the causes and effects of political violence, including terrorism, civil war, and state repression.
Definitions and theories of political violence: This topic covers the different definitions of political violence, such as terrorism, insurgency, and civil war, as well as the various theories explaining political violence, such as structural violence and social constructionism.
Historical and cultural contexts: Political violence is often shaped by historical and cultural contexts, including colonialism, imperialism, and nationalism. This topic covers how these contexts have contributed to political violence.
State-sponsored violence: State-sponsored violence refers to violence carried out by governments or other state actors. This topic covers the reasons why states engage in violence, examples of state-sponsored violence, and the impact of state violence on society.
Non-state violence: Non-state violence refers to violence carried out by non-state actors, such as terrorist organizations, militias, and criminal gangs. This topic covers the reasons why these groups engage in violence, their tactics, and their impact on society.
Ideology and political violence: Ideology plays a significant role in political violence. This topic covers how different ideologies, such as nationalism, communism, and religious fundamentalism, motivate political violence.
War and its aftermath: War is a significant source of political violence. This topic covers the different types of war and the impact of war on society, including the aftermath of war, such as reconstruction and reconciliation.
Media and political violence: The media plays a role in shaping public opinion about political violence. This topic covers how the media portrays political violence, the impact of media coverage on society, and the ethics of reporting on political violence.
Human rights and political violence: Political violence often involves human rights violations. This topic covers the different human rights issues related to political violence, such as torture, extrajudicial killings, and forced disappearances.
Gender and political violence: Gender is a relevant factor in political violence, both as a target and as a driver. This topic covers the gendered experiences of political violence, including sexual violence, and the role of gender in perpetrating violence.
Prevention and intervention: This topic covers the different strategies for preventing and intervening in political violence, such as dialogue, peacekeeping, and military intervention. It also includes an analysis of their effectiveness and ethical implications.
Terrorism: Use of violence or intimidation for political reasons, including attacks on civilians and non-combatants.
Insurgency: Use of violence by a group of individuals seeking political change and/or overthrow of the government.
State Violence: The use of violence by a state or government to maintain power or repress political opposition.
Rioting: A form of violence characterized by violence and destruction of property by a mob, often in response to a perceived injustice or grievance.
Civil War: A violent conflict within a country between factions seeking control of the government or territory.
Genocide: The systematic killing of a particular ethnic, political or religious group.
Political Assassination: An act of violence committed against a political figure, often in an attempt to silence opposition or change the government.
Guerrilla Warfare: A form of irregular warfare in which small groups use tactics such as ambushes and sabotage to fight against a larger and better-trained military.
Political Repression: The use of coercive measures by a government to limit or eliminate political opposition, including arrests, detention, and censorship.
Ethnic Cleansing: The forced expulsion or killing of an ethnic or religious group, often in an attempt to create a homogenous population.
"...forced disappearance, psychological warfare, police brutality, targeted assassinations, torture, ethnic cleansing, or genocide."
"...kidnappings, targeted assassinations, terrorist attacks, torture, psychological and/or guerrilla warfare."
"Rebellion, rioting, treason, or coup d'etat."
"It can describe violence which is used against other non-state actors and/or civilians."
"...refusing to alleviate famine or otherwise denying resources to politically identifiable groups within their territory."
"Political violence often takes the form of asymmetric warfare where neither side is able to directly assault the other, instead relying on tactics such as guerrilla warfare and terrorism."
"It can often include attacks on civilian or otherwise non-combatant targets."
"People may be targeted collectively based on perception of being part of a social, ethnic, religious, or political group; or selectively, targeting specific individuals for actions that are perceived as challenging someone or aiding an opponent."
"Many politically motivated militant, insurgent, extremist, and/or fundamentalist groups and individuals are convinced that the states and political systems under which they live will never respond to their demands, and they thus believe that the only way to overthrow and/or reshape the government... is through violent means."
"Similarly, many governments around the world believe that they need to use violence in order to intimidate their populaces into acquiescence."
"At other times, governments use force in order to defend their countries from outside invasions or other threats of force and coerce other governments or conquer territory."
"Political violence can include violence which is used by a state against other states, violence which is used by a state against civilians and non-state actors, and violence which is used by violent non-state actors against states and civilians."
"...forced disappearance, psychological warfare, police brutality, targeted assassinations, torture, ethnic cleansing, or genocide."
"...kidnappings, targeted assassinations, terrorist attacks, torture, psychological and/or guerrilla warfare."
"Rebellion, rioting, treason, or coup d'etat."
"It can describe violence which is used against other non-state actors and/or civilians."
"...refusing to alleviate famine or otherwise denying resources to politically identifiable groups within their territory."
"Political violence often takes the form of asymmetric warfare where neither side is able to directly assault the other, instead relying on tactics such as guerrilla warfare and terrorism."
"It can often include attacks on civilian or otherwise non-combatant targets."