Insurgent Cohesion and Collapse in Syria: A Social-Institutionalist Explanation

Speaker: Thomas Pierret, University of Edinburgh Chair: John Chalcraft, LSE Over the last four years, the Syrian insurgency has witnessed the rise and consolidation of certain factions, particularly Islamist ones, but also the demise of once powerful groups of a more nationalist persuasion. Drawing on Paul Staniland's social-institutionalist conceptual framework, Thomas Pierret argues that groups that have relied on long-standing networks stemming from armed militancy or religious proselytism had a determining organisational advantage over counterparts that lacked such a background. Recorded on 2 May 2017. This seminar forms part of the 'Social Movements and Popular Mobilisation in the MENA Research Theme'.