Testing Tilly’s theory of collective violence against the Syrian conflict: a model framework?

This thesis explores the patterns of collective violence in the Syrian conflict through the lens of Charles Tilly’s theory on the subject. Since its publication in 2003, Tilly’s The Politics of Collective Violence has been one of the most influential works within the social sciences on violence and contentious politics. The thesis assesses the extent to which Tilly’s conceptual framework explains the patterns of collective violence in Syria, highlighting both its continuing relevance as well as some of its limitations. This thesis argues that evidence from the Syrian conflict suggests that Tilly’s framework does not adequately address the influence of external powers and the role of technology and social media. As such, this research aims to strengthen and update Tilly’s framework by combining fresh insights on the pattern of collective violence from the Syrian conflict and other scholars of international relations.