Religion and Rivalry: How Religious Ideology Fuels Militant Group Competition

• In Event: Cooperation and Competition among Militant Groups

Abstract

Why do militant groups, including those who are nominally on the same “side” of a conflict, actively compete with one another? This study argues that groups driven by a religious ideology are especially prone to competition with other organizations. Religious dogma increases both the breadth and depth of potential disputes, and especially, disputes over noncombatant targeting. As a result, religious groups have more opportunities to distinguish themselves from competitors, including their co-religionists. We illustrate this process by examining the case of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and its relationship with other militant groups. We then use data on militant groups around the world to identify a statistical relationship between religious ideology and the frequency of intergroup rivalries. Combined, the results suggest that religion is an important determinant of competitive behavior among militant organizations.

Authors

• Victor Asal, University at Albany, SUNY

• Justin Conrad, University of Georgia