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A Manifesto, in 140 Characters or Fewer: Social Media as a Tool of Rebel Diplomacy

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  • Jones, Benjamin T.
  • Mattiacci, Eleonora

Abstract

Can rebel organizations in a civil conflict use social media to garner international support? This article argues that the use of social media is a unique form of public diplomacy through which rebels project a favorable image to gain that support. It analyzes the Libyan civil war, during which rebels invested considerable resources in diplomatic efforts to gain US support. The study entails collecting original data, and finds that rebel public diplomacy via Twitter increases co-operation with the rebels when their message (1) clarifies the type of regime they intend to create and (2) emphasizes the atrocities perpetrated by the government. Providing rebels with an important tool of image projection, social media can affect dynamics in an ever more connected international arena.

Suggested Citation

  • Jones, Benjamin T. & Mattiacci, Eleonora, 2019. "A Manifesto, in 140 Characters or Fewer: Social Media as a Tool of Rebel Diplomacy," British Journal of Political Science, Cambridge University Press, vol. 49(2), pages 739-761, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:bjposi:v:49:y:2019:i:02:p:739-761_00
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    Cited by:

    1. Johannes Karreth, 2022. "Anjali Kaushlesh Dayal. 2021. Incredible commitments: How UN peacekeeping failures shape peace processes (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press)," The Review of International Organizations, Springer, vol. 17(3), pages 657-661, July.
    2. Eleonora Mattiacci & Rupal N. Mehta & Rachel Elizabeth Whitlark, 2022. "Atomic Ambiguity: Event Data Evidence on Nuclear Latency and International Cooperation," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 66(2), pages 272-296, February.
    3. Devorah Manekin & Reed M. Wood, 2020. "Framing the Narrative: Female Fighters, External Audience Attitudes, and Transnational Support for Armed Rebellions," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 64(9), pages 1638-1665, October.

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