Rebel law : insurgents, courts and justice in modern conflict

In most societies, courts are where the rubber of government meets the road of the people. If a state cannot settle disputes and ensure that its decisions are carried out, for practical purposes it is no longer in charge. This is why successful rebels put courts and justice at the top of their agendas. Rebel Law examines this key weapon in the armory of insurgent groups, ranging from the Ireland of the 1920s, where the IRA sapped British power using 'Republican Tribunals' to today's 'Caliphate of Law' - the Islamic State, by way of Algeria in the 1950s and the Afghan Taliban. Frank Ledwidge tells how insurgent courts bleed legitimacy from government, decide cases and enforce judgments on the battlefield itself. Astute counterinsurgents, especially in "ungoverned space," can ensure that they retain the initiative. The book describes French, Turkish and British colonial "judicial strategy" and contrasts their experience with the chaos of more recent "stabilization operations" in Iraq and Afghanistan, drawing lessons for contemporary counterinsurgents. Rebel Law builds on his insights and shows that the courts themselves can be used as weapons for both sides in highly unconventional warfare. In Most Societies, Courts Are Where The Rubber Of Government Meets The Road Of The People. If A State Cannot Settle Disputes And Enforce Its Decisions, To All Intents And Purposes It Is No Longer In Charge. This Is Why Successful Rebels Put Courts And Justice At The Top Of Their Agendas. Rebel Law Explores This Key Weapon In The Arsenal Of Insurgent Groups, From The Ira's 'republican Tribunals' Of The 1920s To Islamic State's 'caliphate Of Law,' Via The Aln In Algeria Of The 50s And 60s And The Afghan Taliban Of Recent Years. Frank Ledwidge Delineates The Battle In Such Ungoverned Spaces Between Counterinsurgents Seeking To Retain The Initiative And The Insurgent Courts Undermining Them. Contrasting Colonial Judicial Strategy With The Chaos Of Stabilisation Operations In Iraq And Afghanistan, He Offers Compelling Lessons For Today's Conflicts--book Jacket. Introduction -- Law, Legitimacy And Insurgency -- Needing A Better Deal -- Offering A Better Deal : Insurgent Courts In The Twentieth Century -- Caliphates Of Law : Insurgent Courts Today -- Disruptive Litigation -- Counterinsurgent Dilemmas : Hints From History -- Twentieth-century Counterinsurgency Judicial Strategy : The British Experience -- Counterinsurgent Judicial Strategy Today -- Conclusion. Frank Ledwidge. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 171-207) And Index. In most societies, courts are where the rubber of government meets the road of the people. If a state cannot settle disputes and ensure that its decisions are carried out, for practical purposes it is no longer in charge.This is why successful rebels put courts and justice at the top of their agendas. Rebel Law examines this key weapon in the armory of insurgent groups, ranging from the Ireland of the 1920s, where the IRA sapped British power using 'Republican Tribunals' to today's 'Caliphate of Law' - the Islamic State, by way of Algeria in the 1950s and the Afghan Taliban.Frank Ledwidge tells how insurgent courts bleed legitimacy from government, decide cases and enforce judgments on the battlefield itself. Astute counterinsurgents, especially in "ungoverned space," can ensure that they retain the initiative. The book describes French, Turkish and British colonial "judicial strategy" and contrasts their experience with the chaos of more recent "stabilization operations" in Iraq and Afghanistan, drawing lessons for contemporary counterinsurgents.__Rebel Law__builds on his insights and shows that the courts themselves can be used as weapons for both sides in highly unconventional warfare. Présentation de l'éditeur : "This indispensable book explains how courts are now part of the broader battlefield, deployed by both insurgents and state forces in a world convulsed by unconventional warfare. In most societies, courts are where the rubber of government meets the road of the people. If a state cannot settle disputes and enforce its decisions, to all intents and purposes it is no longer in charge. This is why successful rebels put courts and justice at the top of their agendas. Rebel Law explores this key weapon in the arsenal of insurgent groups, from the IRA's 'Republican Tribunals' of the 1920s to Islamic State's 'Caliphate of Law', via the ALN in Algeria of the '50s and 60s and the Afghan Taliban of recent years. Frank Ledwidge delineates the battle in such ungoverned spaces between counterinsurgents seeking to retain the initiative and the insurgent courts undermining them. Contrasting colonial judicial strategy with the chaos of stabilisation operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, he offers compelling lessons for today's conflicts."