Explaining the achievements of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria : a comparative study of rebel governance -

Abstract

This study focuses on ISIS’ system of governance in territories under its effective control in Syria and Iraq. The main research question and purpose of this paper is to study whether there is anything unique or exceptional about ISIS’ system of rebel governance. The study employs a comparative analysis with several other rebel groups: the FARC in Colombia, the LTTE in Sri Lanka, the Mai Mai in Congo and the UNITA and FNLA in Angola. The results show that ISIS is clearly unique in some respects, including the fact that the group does not function within normal territorial lines; ISIS is influenced by previous regimes in Iraq but only on the technocratic level; ISIS is not willing to sacrifice its mode of governance to gain civilian support; and ISIS’ ideology is central to its governance structure. This means that ideology plays a central role in the group’s governance structure and is both a motivating factor and an end goal.