Katy Robinson

Katy Robinson

@katyrob.bsky.social

Assistant Professor of Political Science at Rice University | Stanford & UMich alum | Studying armed groups & the international politics of civil war | https://kaitlyn-robinson.com/

326 followers163 following11 posts

Katy Robinson
@katyrob.bsky.social

My article on purging & leader survival in rebel groups is now out in @jpeaceresearch.bsky.social! Open access: doi.org/10.1093/jopr... How do rebel leaders stay in power? While we often study "decapitation" by state forces, internal actors (coup plotters, spies) also threaten leader survival.

doi.orgRebel purges and leader survival: maintaining power through purges in rebel organizationsAbstract. How do rebel leaders maintain power? In rebel groups, leaders face threats to their survival in office from dissatisfied subordinates, internal r
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Katy Robinson
@katyrob.bsky.social

Internal processes (like purging) affect the timing of leader change. Even externally-driven "decapitations" are tied to internal dynamics. Purges eliminate spies, who serve as sources of intelligence for states, and can undermine decapitation success. ✨ In short, organizational politics matter! ✨

Katy Robinson
@katyrob.bsky.social

My article on purging & leader survival in rebel groups is now out in @jpeaceresearch.bsky.social! Open access: doi.org/10.1093/jopr... How do rebel leaders stay in power? While we often study "decapitation" by state forces, internal actors (coup plotters, spies) also threaten leader survival.

doi.orgRebel purges and leader survival: maintaining power through purges in rebel organizationsAbstract. How do rebel leaders maintain power? In rebel groups, leaders face threats to their survival in office from dissatisfied subordinates, internal r
View full thread
Katy Robinson
@katyrob.bsky.social

I collect new data on leader exit and purging for rebels in Asia. ➡️ 33% of leader exits caused by decapitation (leaders killed, captured, or arrested by a state) ➡️ 13% of leader exits caused by internal coups or assassinations by group members ➡️ 17% of rebel leaders engaged in purging at least once

Katy Robinson
@katyrob.bsky.social

I find that purging increases leader longevity. ➡️ 92% of leaders who used purging were still in power after 5 years, compared to only 60% of those who didn't purge ➡️ A leader’s use of purging is associated with a 71% reduction in the hazard of removal from office

Katy Robinson
@katyrob.bsky.social

My article on purging & leader survival in rebel groups is now out in @jpeaceresearch.bsky.social! Open access: doi.org/10.1093/jopr... How do rebel leaders stay in power? While we often study "decapitation" by state forces, internal actors (coup plotters, spies) also threaten leader survival.

doi.orgRebel purges and leader survival: maintaining power through purges in rebel organizationsAbstract. How do rebel leaders maintain power? In rebel groups, leaders face threats to their survival in office from dissatisfied subordinates, internal r
Katy Robinson
@katyrob.bsky.social

Like autocrats, rebel leaders take steps to protect themselves from internal threats Rebel leaders use tools that mirror autocratic "coup-proofing" tactics ➡️purge rivals & spies ➡️centralize decision making ➡️promote friends This paper studies purging, which is used by rebel leaders around the world

Katy Robinson
@katyrob.bsky.social

Updating the syllabus for my undergraduate research seminar on civil war and terrorism -- I'm looking for an article on civil war/political violence with a great literature review to serve as an example in my class on lit reviews. Any suggestions? Self-promotion is very welcome! #PoliSky

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