Ongoing projects
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Alternative Governance & Climate Change
supported by DOD Minerva Initiative This project explores the dynamics of nonstate actors as governors over issues related to environmental hazard and climate change. It examines governance related to both slow-moving and rapid environmental hazards. |
Books
Rebel Governance in the Age of Climate Change Cambridge University Press (Element Series)
with Leo Gentil-Fernandez, Elisabeth Gilmore, Reyko Huang, Danielle Jung, and Cyanne Loyle
In many areas experiencing severe impacts from climate change, it is not the state, but rather rebel groups who wield authority over populations. Rebels are often engaged in responding and adapting to the risks and impacts of climate change as part of their local governance efforts; however, a systematic consideration of the activities and implications has been lacking. This Element looks at a set of behaviors we call “rebel environmental governance” (REG+). This refers to rebel actions aimed at protecting or managing the natural environment to affect civilian welfare amidst increasing pressures of climate change. A framework is advanced for understanding why rebels engage in environmental governance and the implications for security and climate governance. The Element brings rebel organizations into the conversation on climate change, highlighting their role in areas where state power is contested, weak, or absent.
Replication data files for Rebel Governance in the Age of Climate Change
with Leo Gentil-Fernandez, Elisabeth Gilmore, Reyko Huang, Danielle Jung, and Cyanne Loyle
In many areas experiencing severe impacts from climate change, it is not the state, but rather rebel groups who wield authority over populations. Rebels are often engaged in responding and adapting to the risks and impacts of climate change as part of their local governance efforts; however, a systematic consideration of the activities and implications has been lacking. This Element looks at a set of behaviors we call “rebel environmental governance” (REG+). This refers to rebel actions aimed at protecting or managing the natural environment to affect civilian welfare amidst increasing pressures of climate change. A framework is advanced for understanding why rebels engage in environmental governance and the implications for security and climate governance. The Element brings rebel organizations into the conversation on climate change, highlighting their role in areas where state power is contested, weak, or absent.
Replication data files for Rebel Governance in the Age of Climate Change
Inside the Politics of Self-determination Oxford University Press
Selected as 2015 Book of the Year, Conflict Research Society
Reviewed in Perspectives on Politics
There are currently over 100 stateless nations pressing for greater self-determination around the globe, the vast majority of which will never achieve independence. Many groups will receive some accommodation; many will engage in civil war; and many will be plagued by internecine violence. The internal structure and political dynamics of states and self-determination (SD) groups significantly affect information and credibility problems faced by these actors, as well as the incentives and opportunities for states to pursue partial accommodation of these groups. Cunningham demonstrates that understanding the relations between states and SD groups requires looking at the politics inside these actors and their ability to bargain over self-determination.
Selected as 2015 Book of the Year, Conflict Research Society
Reviewed in Perspectives on Politics
There are currently over 100 stateless nations pressing for greater self-determination around the globe, the vast majority of which will never achieve independence. Many groups will receive some accommodation; many will engage in civil war; and many will be plagued by internecine violence. The internal structure and political dynamics of states and self-determination (SD) groups significantly affect information and credibility problems faced by these actors, as well as the incentives and opportunities for states to pursue partial accommodation of these groups. Cunningham demonstrates that understanding the relations between states and SD groups requires looking at the politics inside these actors and their ability to bargain over self-determination.
See the Page 99 Test for my book on self-determination.
Replication data files for Inside the Politics of Self-determination
Replication data files for Inside the Politics of Self-determination
Peer reviewed articles & chapters
Forthcoming. The nonviolent legacies of rebel group origins with Leo Bauer. Journal of Peace Research
2025. Rights Violations and International Public Opinion with Connor Kopchick. International Interactions
2025. Tactics of Survival: Strategies of Resistance Data Project Update Journal of Peace Research
with Ted Ellsworth, Harriet Goers, Michael Cowan, Ellin Chung, and Oja Pathak .
with Ted Ellsworth, Harriet Goers, Michael Cowan, Ellin Chung, and Oja Pathak .
2025. Armed rebel groups engage in climate governance with Elisabeth Gilmore, Leonardo Gentil-Fernandes, Reyko Huang, Danielle F. Jung, and Cyanne E. Loyle. Climatic Change
2024. Creating (with) community: the value of collaboration in Peace Science Conflict Management and Peace Science
2024. Sabotage and complex public opinion in On Andreas Malm’s How to Blow Up a Pipeline Journal of Pacifism and Nonviolence
2024. Internal Drivers of Self-rule Referendums Conflict Management and Peace Science
with Laia Balcells and Harriet Goers.
with Laia Balcells and Harriet Goers.
2023. Backgrounds with Benefits? Rebel Group Origins and Concessions During Civil Wars in Africa Journal of Conflict Research
with Jessica Maves Braithwaite
with Jessica Maves Braithwaite
2023. Special Issue Introduction: Nonviolent Resistance and its Discontents Journal of Peace Research
with Erica Chenoweth
with Erica Chenoweth
2023. Choosing Tactics: The Efficacy of Violence and Nonviolence in Self-determination Disputes Journal of Peace Research
2023. Protests and persuasion: partisanships effect on evaluating mobilization tactics Journal of Peace Research
with Sarah Croco and Taylor Vincent
with Sarah Croco and Taylor Vincent
2022. Revolt and Rule: Learning about governance from rebel groups. International Studies Review
with Jessica Maves Braithwaite, Joseph Huddleston, Danielle Jung, Cyanne Loyle, Michael Rubin, and Megan Stewart
with Jessica Maves Braithwaite, Joseph Huddleston, Danielle Jung, Cyanne Loyle, Michael Rubin, and Megan Stewart
2021. New Directions in Rebel Governance Research Perspectives on Politics
with Reyko Huang, Danielle Jung, and Cyanne Loyle
with Reyko Huang, Danielle Jung, and Cyanne Loyle
2021. Emerging Diasporas: Exploring Mobilization Outside the Homeland Journal of Peace Research
with Connor Kopchick, Erin Jenne & Steve Saideman
with Connor Kopchick, Erin Jenne & Steve Saideman
2021. Rebel Legitimacy and Wartime Sexual Violence Journal of Politics
with Katherine Sawyer and Kanisha Bond
with Katherine Sawyer and Kanisha Bond
2021. Voting for Militants: Rebel Elections in Civil War Journal of Conflict Resolution
with Reyko Huang and Katherine Sawyer
with Reyko Huang and Katherine Sawyer
2021. Introduction to the Special Feature on Dynamic Processes of Rebel Governance Journal of Conflict Resolution
with Cyanne Loyle
with Cyanne Loyle
2020. When Organizations Rebel: Introducing the Foundations of Rebel Group Emergence (FORGE) Dataset International Studies Quarterly
with Jessica Maves Braithwaite
with Jessica Maves Braithwaite
2020. Introducing the Strategies of Resistance Data Project Journal of Peace Research
with Marianne Dahl and Anne Frugé [online appendix] [data]
with Marianne Dahl and Anne Frugé [online appendix] [data]
2019. Rebel Tactics and External Public Support Research & Politics
with Steven Arves and Caitlin McCulloch [data files]
with Steven Arves and Caitlin McCulloch [data files]
2019. Conflict Negotiations and Rebel Leader Selection Journal of Peace Research
with Katherine Sawyer
with Katherine Sawyer
2017. Is self-determination contagious? A spatial analysis of the spread of self-determination claims International Organization
with Katherine Sawyer
with Katherine Sawyer
2017. Strategies of Resistance: Diversification and Diffusion American Journal of Political Science
with Marianne Dahl and Anne Frugé
*part of AJPS's Highly-Cited Collection
with Marianne Dahl and Anne Frugé
*part of AJPS's Highly-Cited Collection
2017. Fractionalization and Civil War Oxford Research Encyclopedia
2017. The Role of External Support in Civil War Journal of Conflict Resolution
with Katherine Sawyer and William Reed
with Katherine Sawyer and William Reed
2016. E pluribus unum, ex uno plures: Competition, violence, and fragmentation in ethnopolitical movements Journal of Peace Research
with Kristin M. Bakke and Lee Seymour
with Kristin M. Bakke and Lee Seymour
2016. Identity Issues and Civil War: Ethnic and Religious Divisions in What do We Know about Civil Wars?
with Lee Seymour
with Lee Seymour
2013. Understanding strategic choice: The determinants of civil war and non-violent campaign in self-determination disputes
Journal of Peace Research
Journal of Peace Research
2013. Understanding nonviolent resistance: An introduction Journal of Peace Research
with Erica Chenoweth
with Erica Chenoweth
2013. Actor Fragmentation and Civil War Bargaining: How Internal Divisions Generate Civil Conflict American Journal of Political Science
2012. Nonstate actors, fragmentation, and conflict processes: Introducing the special issue Journal of Conflict Resolution
with Wendy Pearlman
with Wendy Pearlman
2012. Shirts Today, Skins Tomorrow: The Effects of Fragmentation on Conflict Processes in Self-Determination Disputes Journal of Conflict Resolution
with Kristin M. Bakke and Lee Seymour
with Kristin M. Bakke and Lee Seymour
2012. A Plague of Initials: Fragmentation, Cohesion and Infighting in Civil Wars Perspectives on Politics
with Kristin M. Bakke and Lee Seymour
with Kristin M. Bakke and Lee Seymour
2011. Divide and Conquer or Divide and Concede: How Do States Respond to Internally Divided Separatists?
American Political Science Review
American Political Science Review
2010. Shared Space: Ethnic Groups, State Accommodation and Localized Conflict International Studies Quarterly
with Nils B. Weidmann
with Nils B. Weidmann
2010. Dissidents, Repression, and Inconsistency in Rethinking Violence: State and Nonstate Actors in Conflict
with Emily Beaulieu
with Emily Beaulieu
Working papers
Climate change and public opinion: Attribution dynamics with Juan Gelvez and Flavia Batista. Under review
Climate Change: Management and Attribution with Leo Gentil-Fernandez, Elisabeth Gilmore, Reyko Huang, Danielle Jung, and Cyanne Loyle. Under review
Rebel Tactics and Local Public Support: Experimental Evidence from Southern Thailand with Margherita Belgioioso, Srisompob Jitpiromsri and Kusuma Kooyai. Under review
Complex conflicts and deforestation with Pedro Abelin, Andre de Lima, and Leonardo Gentil-Fernandes
Rebel Conservation with Leo Gentil-Fernandes and Reyko Huang.
Policy-related publications
The Perils of Ignoring the Legitimacy of Violent Nonstate Actors with Santiago Stocker. Irregular Warfare Institute.
Understanding fragmentation in conflict and its impact on prospects for peace. Oslo Form Papers. Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue.
Diversification and Diffusion. PRIO Policy Brief, 20. Oslo: Peace Research Institute Oslo.
Actor Fragmentation and Conflict Processes. The Political Science of Syria’s War. POMEPS Studies 5.
Arming Syrian rebels may make peace elusive with Bill Reed. Baltimore Sun OpEd. 2011.
Collaborators
I have had the opportunity to work with a number of great co-authors. Check out their work!