Utilizing Social Movement Theory to Examine Three Salafi Jihadist Groups, the Taliban, al-Qaeda, and ISIS: the Resource Mobilization Approach of Charles Tilly

Abstract

This dissertation applies the social movement theory of resource mobilization to examine three Salafi jihadist movements, the Taliban, al-Qaeda, and ISIS. Originally presented in the early 1970s, Charles Tilly's resource mobilization approach within the social movement theories focuses on the mobilization, the control over resources and them acting when called upon to do so. Mobilization is influenced by the movement's organization, which emerges due to the members' interests, which is affected by the identity of the members. Resource mobilization offers a quantitative framework to apply a qualitative method to enhance the understanding of how Salafi jihadist movements gain resources and use them in action. This dissertation finds the Taliban, al-Qaeda, and ISIS have varied approaches to recruitment and radicalization towards their specific understanding of Salafism and their shared goal of creating an Islamic state from which they can recreate an Islamic Caliphate. From their first emergence to today, al-Qaeda has maintained its targets and systems of recruitment while the Taliban and IS have altered theirs due to changes in their situations. These findings are important for future research by academics and government entities as they influence how the movements continue to grow and challenge the current international system.