Doing Well by Doing Good: Understanding Hamas's Social Services as Political Advertising

Rebel Governance at the Time of Covid-19: Emergencies as Opportunities for Rebel Rulers

“…In order to do so, they engage in functions of governance such as the provision of public services to "credibly demonstrate that they are qualified and able to govern, not just to make speeches and set off bombs". 31 Bringing this argument further, Asal, Flanigan, and Szekely argue that rebel groups provide social services as a means of "confronting and undermining the authority of the state" against which they fight and which they aspire to replace. Assuming some of the functions usually claimed by the state as its exclusive prerogative, a rebel group that has succeeded to conquer territories manages to challenge the authority of the state, improve its reputation in the areas where it operates, gain valuable popular support, and increase its legitimacy vis-a-vis the existing regime in the eyes of the local population.…”

What explains ethnic organizational violence? Evidence from Eastern Europe and Russia

“…Recently Berman and others have made a compelling case for the provision of social services as a useful tool for organizations that want to use violence as a political tool (Berman, 2009; Clark, 2004; Flanigan, 2006; Szekely, 2014). Grynkewich (2008) points out that in some ways—like the control of territory—the provision of social services is a challenge to the state and an effort to replace the state.…”

Critical Applications of Heterogeneity Theories to Power in Nonprofit Human Services Organizations

“…A vulnerable individual who cannot opt out of services may feel a bit uncomfortable or out of place, or may be asked to participate in a religious or cultural practice that is not his or her own. However, more extreme examples of power in service provision exist, such as to include using nonprofit human services to win elections, to convince communities to accept violent activities, and to even recruit militants (Flanigan, 2006, 2008; Flanigan et al, 2015; Flanigan & O’Brien, 2015; Szekely, 2015, 2016). While these examples may be less widespread, considering the extreme case allows us to reflect on the myriad other problematic ways in which power can create challenges in human services organizations.…”

“…Facilitating service provision when running for office could be a public relations tool to gain votes, a means of “buying” a vote, or simply a way to assist one’s constituents (Abdel-Samad, 2009; Flanigan et al, 2015). Service provision by armed groups like Hamas and Hezbollah could be a way of mobilizing support for violent activities or merely attempts at legitimate governance (Asal et al, 2020; Flanigan, 2006, 2008; Flanigan & O’Brien, 2015; Szekely, 2015, 2016). One person’s proselytization may be another person’s warm and friendly introduction to faith.…”