What Exactly Lies In The Concept Of Rebellion?

Many people are confused by the term rebellion. For example, is the Islamic State a rebel group or a terrorist group ? It is not an easy question to answer due to all the changes this group has undergone over the years. Still, in order to call something a rebellion, you must first know exactly what it means.

It may be helpful to list some groups that experts have considered rebellious before we talk about the definition. Some of the most famous names in this category are the Islamic State, Al Qaeda and Boko Haram. Others are the FARC, the Taliban, Hezbollah, Hamas, ETA and the IRA. Although some of these have fallen off the load, the experts have at some point considered all of them as rebel groups.

To define the term rebellion

Finding a simple and precise definition of the term rebellion is a difficult task. Nevertheless, we can highlight some common features that the different definitions of the word have. Basically, you can say that the term rebellion is actions that a minority group in a state does to force a political change. At least it has the political goal.

Similarly, rebels use propaganda or military pressure to persuade or intimidate a population. The goal is to get popular support. As such, the recognition and acceptance of the general population is central and crucial for their success or failure.

A rebellion also has differences in power. Given that the state tends to have much more power, rebel groups prefer asymmetrical and lengthy meetings with the government. As such, psychological warfare tends to be their most important tool.

How people start and consolidate an uprising

In order for an uprising to take place, the following factors must be present:

• A politically relevant identity. The rebels need to make their identity stand out. In fact, it must be so strong that people will be willing to fight to defend it.
• An attractive thing. There must be something very wrong so that the majority of the population is interested in correcting it.
• Popular support. If the rebels can achieve the following factors, they are more likely to achieve this as well.
• Strong leadership. Leadership provides a group with unity, coordination and credibility.
• Power over competing groups. Being stronger than the other groups or even just being able to cooperate with them can be a decisive factor if the uprising takes effect.

• A refuge. Sanctuaries or hiding places can ensure the survival of the rebellion.
• The ability to secure external support. Support from outside states can be crucial.
• The ability to distinguish mistakes that the political authorities can make. A bad move by the state can give a group more support for the uprising from the population.

Classification of the term rebellion

In general, experts divide insurgency into one of two groups: national insurgency and those seeking freedom. In national uprisings, the uprising against a certain government is ideological, ethnic, economic or for any other reason. In liberation revolts, they face a regime that is supported or controlled by foreign influences.

Apart from this, there are other possible classifications. Some people also classify them according to the goals they have.

You can divide the goal-based rebel classification into three types:

• Power and political projection. Groups with these goals are trying to take control of the state to institute a new regime.
• Political power and territory. In this case, the groups seek to oust a foreign occupier or, in other words, achieve national independence.
• Local rebels or tribes try to maintain or gain freedom from state control. These groups seek to undermine the governing authority of a state that is partially or completely unsuccessful. The big goal is to eventually take control of the government.

The five pillars of rebellion activity

Rebels can use five strategic instruments to achieve their goals. The list is as follows: armed struggle, propaganda, social assistance, social and political activism and the cultivation of external relations.

• Armed battle. The use of violence is common in an uprising. The tactics they use most are guerrilla warfare and, in a supporting role, terrorism.
• Propaganda. Through the use of propaganda, rebel groups seek to win over people’s hearts. They target both the domestic and international population with this tactic.
• Social assistance. Social assistance aims to gather support from the population and to mobilize it.
• Social and political activism. They form or infiltrate civic associations, trade unions and perhaps even political parties.
• External relations : Support from the international community is a great advantage. Many insurgents are trying to ensure this.

As you might draw from this explanation, rebellion is very similar to other violent groups that use terrorism and guerrilla warfare. Separating them from each other is not easy. Nevertheless, these factors are clear. What sets the stage for them as well as those that lead to success.