Faculty Colloquium Series: Reyko Huang (BUSH) 2/4/20
“The Global Rebel Elite: Transnational Social Networks in Violent Rebellion” Tuesday, February 4, 2020, 4-5 p.m. Location: 311 Glasscock Building Dr. Reyko Huang Bush School Department of International Affairs, 2019-2020 Glasscock Faculty Research Fellow Abstract: This paper examines the social underpinnings of violent conflict by focusing on the ways rebel leaders often capitalize on their […]
“The Global Rebel Elite: Transnational Social Networks in Violent Rebellion”
Tuesday, February 4, 2020, 4-5 p.m.
Location: 311 Glasscock Building
Dr. Reyko Huang
Bush School Department of International Affairs, 2019-2020 Glasscock Faculty Research Fellow
Abstract:
This paper examines the social underpinnings of violent conflict by focusing on the ways rebel leaders often capitalize on their personal connections to secure organizational advantages in contemporary civil wars. Although a large literature examines the structural, political, and military determinants of conflict dynamics, few studies take into account its social logic at the leadership level. The study proposes that rebel leaders’ prior foreign experiences—in particular, studying abroad—serve as opportunities to develop transnational social networks which they can later exploit in efforts to secure material support once rebellion is underway. The study employs the newly constructed Resistance Organization Leaders (ROLE) Dataset, which contains a gamut of biographical information on about 500 rebel leaders active since 1980, for a quantitative test of the theory; it also examines Maoist rebel leaders’ transnational social networks and their role in the Nepalese Civil War.
The Faculty Colloquium offers faculty an opportunity to discuss a work-in-progress with faculty and graduate students from different disciplines. By long-standing practice, colloquium presenters provide a draft of their current research, which is made available to members of the Glasscock Center listserv. Each colloquium begins with the presenter’s short (10-15 minute) exposition of the project, after which the floor is open for comments and queries. The format is by design informal, conversational, and interdisciplinary.
The paper is available to members of the Center’s listserv, or by contacting the Glasscock Center by phone at (979) 845-8328 or by e-mail at glasscock@tamu.edu.
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