Rebel Mobilization through Pandering: Insincere Leaders, Framing, and Exploitation of Popular Grievances

In civil wars, unpopular and violent rebel organizations sometimes gain support from politically motivated constituencies who should, by outside appearances, logically oppose such groups. I explain this through a logic in which self-interested, insincere leaders pander to aggrieved civilian populations mobilize them, presenting the organization as empathizing with offering solutions popular grievances. Leaders exploit an information asymmetry about their true preferences allegiance using cheap sociopolitical appeals, rather than more costly material incentives or coercion. inductively develop theory case study of Renamo Mozambique then probe generalizability studies Nicaraguan Fuerza Democrática Nicaragüense National Patriotic Front Liberia, drawing on interviews archival materials. This article explicates previously undertheorized phenomenon mobilization demonstrates how apparent popular, voluntary for rebels can be tenuous it appears.