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Cited by 23Political Conflict and GovernanceTerrorism, Counterterrorism, and Political ViolenceMigration, Refugees, and Integration

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Why Refugees Rebel: Towards a Comprehensive Theory of Refugee Militarization

Lebson, Mike·2013·International Migration
DOI 10.1111/j.1468-2435.2012.00780.x
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Abstract

Militarization by refugees can have problematic outcomes. It can undermine the sovereignty and stability of the host state, perpetuate a transnational conflict and obstruct international efforts to resolve it, and present difficulties in the provision of humanitarian assistance to needy populations. Existing literature privileges structural explanations for militarization while neglecting the agency, interests and internal politics of refugee groups. In this paper, I offer a comprehensive theory of refugee militarization that emphasizes the importance of endogenous factors, including political and economic motivations, in the context of broader structural factors, including political opportunities and resource mobilization, mediated by the presence of militancy entrepreneurs. This theory helps integrate the motivation of refugees, and the discursive framing used by militancy entrepreneurs to mobilize them, with capacity for militant activity. The need for case studies and specific policy recommendations for host states, non‐governmental organizations and international stakeholders are discussed.

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Metadata

Authors
Lebson, M.
Affiliations
University of Maryland, College Park (US)
Corresponding author
Lebson, Mike
Venue
International Migration
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2013-03-08
Volume
51
Issue
5
Pages
133-148
ISSN
  • 0020-7985 (ISSN-L)
  • 1468-2435
DOI
10.1111/j.1468-2435.2012.00780.x
OpenAlex
W2037535332
Cited by
23
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 3 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 1 · 2013: 1
FWCI
5.16
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor)
Locations
International Migration (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Political Conflict and Governance
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Terrorism, Counterterrorism, and Political Violence
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Migration, Refugees, and Integration
Keywords
refugee agency, political opportunity structure, resource mobilization, transnational conflict, humanitarian aid, host state sovereignty, discursive framing

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CoChat. (2026). Citation check: Why Refugees Rebel: Towards a Comprehensive Theory of Refugee Militarization. https://app.cochat.ai/papers/10.1111/j.1468-2435.2012.00780.x
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Lebson, M. (2013). Why Refugees Rebel: Towards a Comprehensive Theory of Refugee Militarization. International Migration. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2435.2012.00780.x