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Rebel groups as predatory organizations: The political effects of the 2004 Tsunami in Indonesia and Sri Lanka

Publication ,  Journal Article
Beardsley, K; McQuinn, B
Published in: Journal of Conflict Resolution
August 1, 2009

In this article we propose a new typology for insurgent groups to explain why in such remarkably similar conflicts-Sri Lanka and Aceh-the impact of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami was so different. We argue that two principal factors shape all rebel groups by defining their incentive structures: the efficiency of the return on investment of the primary source(s) of support and the group's territorial objectives. The former factor is especially strong in explaining the different choices made by the LTTE and GAM. In Sri Lanka, the availability of lucrative resources outside the country has made the LTTE leadership inimical to compromise, threatened by relief aid, and less reliant on the local population. Lacking access to such high-return funding sources, GAM on the other hand was more closely linked to the needs of the local population and found greater value in both outside aid and a comprehensive settlement. © 2009 The Author(s).

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Published In

Journal of Conflict Resolution

DOI

EISSN

1552-8766

ISSN

0022-0027

Publication Date

August 1, 2009

Volume

53

Issue

4

Start / End Page

624 / 645

Related Subject Headings

  • Strategic, Defence & Security Studies
  • 4408 Political science
  • 4404 Development studies
  • 3801 Applied economics
  • 1606 Political Science
  • 1605 Policy and Administration
  • 1402 Applied Economics
 

Citation

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Beardsley, K., & McQuinn, B. (2009). Rebel groups as predatory organizations: The political effects of the 2004 Tsunami in Indonesia and Sri Lanka. Journal of Conflict Resolution, 53(4), 624–645. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022002709336460
Beardsley, K., and B. McQuinn. “Rebel groups as predatory organizations: The political effects of the 2004 Tsunami in Indonesia and Sri Lanka.” Journal of Conflict Resolution 53, no. 4 (August 1, 2009): 624–45. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022002709336460.
Beardsley K, McQuinn B. Rebel groups as predatory organizations: The political effects of the 2004 Tsunami in Indonesia and Sri Lanka. Journal of Conflict Resolution. 2009 Aug 1;53(4):624–45.
Beardsley, K., and B. McQuinn. “Rebel groups as predatory organizations: The political effects of the 2004 Tsunami in Indonesia and Sri Lanka.” Journal of Conflict Resolution, vol. 53, no. 4, Aug. 2009, pp. 624–45. Scopus, doi:10.1177/0022002709336460.
Beardsley K, McQuinn B. Rebel groups as predatory organizations: The political effects of the 2004 Tsunami in Indonesia and Sri Lanka. Journal of Conflict Resolution. 2009 Aug 1;53(4):624–645.
Journal cover image

Published In

Journal of Conflict Resolution

DOI

EISSN

1552-8766

ISSN

0022-0027

Publication Date

August 1, 2009

Volume

53

Issue

4

Start / End Page

624 / 645

Related Subject Headings

  • Strategic, Defence & Security Studies
  • 4408 Political science
  • 4404 Development studies
  • 3801 Applied economics
  • 1606 Political Science
  • 1605 Policy and Administration
  • 1402 Applied Economics