Mobilising individuals to collective political violence

In collective political violence, the processes through which the entrepreneurs of violence and their followers seal temporary loyalties around a violent enterprise need to be explored, recognising the complex heterogeneity of drivers of violent engagement. These include identity production, socio-economic factors and the activation of horizontal and vertical networks. A variety of factors shape armed groups’ behaviours over time, including explicit training, collective learning and violent socialisation. However, the evolution of armed groups also depends on outside influences, including civilians’ attitudes, and agencies’ and states’ actions. This implies there is room for intervention, but only if it is contextually informed.