A Learning Theory of the American Anti-Vietnam War Movement

In: Journal of peace research, Band 13, Heft 4, S. 299-314

Abstract

The radicalization of individuals & groups is discussed. While there has been considerable research on why individuals join radical groups & why different groups & individuals engage in violence, there has been little attention devoted to why groups adopt nonviolent strategies & the relationship between these nonviolent strategies & violence. Insights derived from learning theory are employed to explain & predict the strategies that will be adopted by radical groups & the sequence in which they will be adopted, given various environmental conditions. A formal model of radical social movements is presented & applied in detail to the American anti-Vietnam War movement. The case study, though strictly a theoretical analysis, lends considerable credence to numerous propositions in the model. Through the use of the model, the gap between the antiwar movement formation & movement strife is filled. Modified HA.