This paper deals with the question, whether the Hamas has an interest in the endurance of Palestine’s conflict with Israel. Does the Hamas seek approval from its engagement in the conflict, and maybe even need the conflict as a source of legitimacy as the ruling power in Palestine?
This paper investigates on this hypothesis, putting special regard towards the concept of legitimacy regarding armed groups and conflict, as it is a key variable for maintaining power and reputation.
Table of Contents
3. Introduction
4. Theoretical concepts of the legitimacy of armed groups, in and through conflict
7. Applying these concepts of the legitimacy in and through conflict on Hamas
11. Limits of legitimation through conflict
13. Retrieving support by reheating the conflict?
16. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper investigates the hypothesis of whether Hamas has a vested interest in the endurance of the conflict between Palestine and Israel, specifically examining if the organization utilizes the conflict as a primary source of political legitimacy and public approval.
- The theoretical role of legitimacy for armed groups in conflict settings.
- Hamas's strategic use of resistance narratives to secure political dominance.
- The impact of "enemy images" and conflict escalation on internal public opinion.
- A comparative analysis of how social/economic dissatisfaction is suppressed by war-time rhetoric.
Excerpt from the Book
Theoretical concepts of the legitimacy of armed groups, in and through conflict
Before I begin to elaborate on the different concepts of legitimacy, I find it necessary to briefly define what can be understood under the term of legitimacy in the context of my paper. When referring to legitimacy in the following, I will do so within the means of legitimacy Schlichte and Schneckener base their explanations on. They understand legitimacy “in a purely empirical understanding, ignoring all normative or legal usages”, finding legitimacy to be “the belief in the justification or the moral validity of a political organization and its activities” and “in the rightfulness of an armed group’s agenda and violent struggle” (Schlichte/ Schneckener (2015: 413).
The concept of legitimacy plays a significant role when it comes to the question of domination (Herrschaft) in general. According to Schlichte and Schneckener (2015: 409), during military conflict, legitimacy plays an even more crucial role, especially “[f]or those conducting war and violence”.
This is the case, because the stability of their positions of power, as well as their reputation and standing among the people is presumably closely tied to the peoples’ belief in their legitimacy (Hensell/ Schlichte 2017: 226). Furthermore, “the degree of legitimacy is regarded as one key variable for explaining when armed groups are most likely to transform successfully into a political party or social movement after a civil war”, Schlichte and Schneckener (2015: 411) explain.
Chapter Summaries
3. Introduction: This chapter introduces the research context, highlighting the 2021 surge in conflict between Palestine and Israel to pose the core research question regarding Hamas’s strategic interest in continuing the status quo.
4. Theoretical concepts of the legitimacy of armed groups, in and through conflict: This section defines empirical legitimacy and examines how armed groups navigate the "politics of legitimacy" to maintain social support and justify the use of violence.
7. Applying these concepts of the legitimacy in and through conflict on Hamas: The paper evaluates how Hamas employs specific resistance narratives and cultural themes to consolidate its position as a legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.
11. Limits of legitimation through conflict: This chapter discusses how prolonged violence can eventually lead to delegitimization, especially when civilian dissatisfaction with social and economic conditions grows over time.
13. Retrieving support by reheating the conflict?: This analysis explores why public support for Hamas appears to spike during active military confrontations, effectively overshadowing internal grievances regarding economic performance.
16. Conclusion: The concluding section summarizes how Hamas successfully leverages conflict as a source of legitimacy to maintain its governing power, confirming the initial hypothesis.
Keywords
Hamas, Legitimacy, Armed Groups, Conflict, Palestine, Israel, Resistance (Muqawama), Jihad, Political Narrative, Enemy Image, Public Opinion, Domination, War President, Self-determination, Voter Approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this paper?
The paper examines the relationship between the endurance of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the political legitimacy of Hamas, analyzing whether the organization depends on this conflict for its survival.
What are the primary thematic areas?
The study focuses on political science theories of legitimacy, the ideology of resistance movements, the psychological impact of conflict on voters, and the empirical trends in Palestinian approval ratings.
What is the primary objective of the research?
The objective is to determine if Hamas seeks an ongoing state of conflict to sustain its image as the rightful leader of Palestine, rather than focusing solely on socioeconomic governance.
Which scientific method is utilized?
The author employs a qualitative literature analysis, synthesizing theories on armed groups (specifically by Schlichte and Schneckener) and applying them to case studies of polls and political events regarding Hamas.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The work covers the theoretical definitions of legitimacy, the reframing of Palestinian historical narratives by Hamas, the role of perceived "enemy images," and a comparison with executive approval ratings during wartime.
Which keywords best characterize the work?
Key terms include Hamas, Legitimacy, Resistance (Muqawama), Political Narrative, and Public Opinion.
Does the author consider the impact of casualty rates on Hamas's popularity?
Yes, the paper notes a distinction between other leaders (like George W. Bush) who lose support due to high casualties, contrasted with Hamas, whose approval appears to increase during active "hot" conflict phases.
Why are legislative elections relevant to this study?
The author highlights that the timing of conflict escalation often aligns with domestic political pressure, such as the postponement or anticipation of legislative elections, suggesting a tactical use of conflict for electoral benefit.
- Quote paper
- Anonym (Author), 2021, Does the Hamas have an interest in the endurance of Palestine’s conflict with Israel?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1364409
