Ideological Foundations of Jihadist Organizations: Hizbullah, al-Qaeda, and IS

dc.contributor.authorHodges, Robert Andrewen
dc.contributor.committeechairKoch, Bettinaen
dc.contributor.committeememberStivachtis, Yannis A.en
dc.contributor.committeememberLuciak, Ilja A.en
dc.contributor.departmentPolitical Scienceen
dc.date.accessioned2019-01-10T07:00:47Zen
dc.date.available2019-01-10T07:00:47Zen
dc.date.issued2017-07-18en
dc.description.abstractThis thesis explores the ideological foundations of three jihadist organizations, Hizbullah, al-Qaeda, and Islamic State (IS). All three are categorized as international terrorist organizations but their goals differ. Hizbullah seeks to alter the government within Lebanon, al-Qaeda seeks to eliminate Western influences in Muslim inhabited territories, and IS seeks to create a caliphate within a large portion of the Middle East. The similarities and differences of these three organizations will be illuminated through this examination. The primary focus of the examination focuses on their religious teachings and discourse, as this is a critical aspect of their ideologies. Through this examination, the differences in discourse coinciding with the differing goals of each organization is presented. The discourse of each organization facilitates their goals, recruitment of fighters, and explanation of their actions. Self/other identification is a commonality of all three ideologies but the identification of the other is different according to each organizations goals. This thesis will highlight this aspect and allow for further discussion of the three organizations in future research. The conclusion will allow for discussion as to who gains and maintains power and whether religion is a base or merely a tool for this power.en
dc.description.abstractgeneralThis thesis examines the ideological foundations of three jihadist organizations. The jihadist organizations examined are Hizbullah, al-Qaeda, and ISIS. The ideological foundations are examined by identifying the influences and leaders of the organizations and their contributions to their organizations. The purpose of this examination is to provide the reader with a base understanding of three organizations ideological foundations. This thesis will discuss the varying use of self/other identification by each of the organizations and how it is altered to fit the goals of each group. Understanding how the goals and self/other discourse are related will allow for better understanding of how recruitment is conducted and how each group continues to exist while being battled by more advanced technology and trained militaries.en
dc.description.degreeMaster of Artsen
dc.format.mediumETDen
dc.identifier.othervt_gsexam:12465en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10919/86655en
dc.publisherVirginia Techen
dc.rightsIn Copyrighten
dc.rights.urihttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/en
dc.subjectJihadist Organizationsen
dc.subjectideologyen
dc.subjectsocio-politicalen
dc.subjectHizbullahen
dc.subjectal-Qaedaen
dc.subjectISen
dc.titleIdeological Foundations of Jihadist Organizations: Hizbullah, al-Qaeda, and ISen
dc.typeThesisen
thesis.degree.disciplinePolitical Scienceen
thesis.degree.grantorVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universityen
thesis.degree.levelmastersen
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Artsen

Files

Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Name:
Hodges_RA_T_2017.pdf
Size:
519.1 KB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format

Collections