Citation

Herreros F, Criado H. J. Conflict Resolut. 2009; 53(3): 419-445.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0022002709332208

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This article analyzes the determinants of the variation in the levels of lethal violence against civilians during a civil war. It departs from the usual explanations of this variation, advancing two different logics to account for civilians' victimization: strategic violence directed to avoid rebellions by targeting would-be political entrepreneurs and violence as a consequence of the breakdown of the state's authority. It uses a new data set on violence against civilians during the Spanish Civil War of 1936 to 1939.