Vägen till framgång eller splittring: Våldsamma flankers påverkan på ickevåldsrörelsers framgång En jämförande fallstudie om nonviolent resistance

This thesis investigates how the presence of violent flanks influences the ability of nonviolent resistance movements to achieve political goals. Nonviolent resistance has historically been more successful than violent movements. However, the effect of violent flanks within or alongside such movements remains contested in research. Using the framework of violent flank effect and investigating this research debate, the study analyzes two cases in the wake of the Arab Spring: the Tunisian Revolution and the Syrian Revolution. The research applies a comparative case study design and utilizes process tracing to examine the hypothesized causal mechanisms of mobilization and repression. The results indicate that violent flanks have predominantly negative effects on nonviolent movements by reducing legitimacy, decreasing mobilization, and with less support of justifying increased repression by the state. In Tunisia, where violent flanks were largely absent, the movement successfully mobilized broad societal support including the country’s military and largest labor union, culminating in the ousting of President Ben Ali. Conversely, in Syria, the emergence of the Free Syrian Army as the movement’s violent flank fragmented the movement, intensified state repression, and led to a prolonged civil war, ultimately undermining the nonviolent resistance. These findings contribute to the broader understanding of how nonviolent strategies can be adapted to mitigate the risks associated with violent flanks, particularly in repressive political contexts. The thesis highlights the importance of maintaining unity and legitimacy within nonviolent movements to sustain mobilization and achieve long-term political goals