Why ISIS’s message resonates: Leveraging Islam, sociopolitical catalysts, and adaptive messaging

Ian R. Pelletier; Leif Lundmark; Rachel Gardner; Gina Scott Ligon; Ramazan Kilinc

doi:10.1080/1057610X.2016.1139373

Why ISIS’s message resonates: Leveraging Islam, sociopolitical catalysts, and adaptive messaging

Ian R. Pelletier, Leif Lundmark, Rachel Gardner, Gina Scott Ligon, Ramazan Kilinc

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

34 Scopus citations

Abstract

How does the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) leverage Islamic Law to support their strategic objectives? Islam, as most religions, is a defining catalyst of group identity. ISIS has capitalized on this, using it as a vehicle to legitimize its interpretation of Islamic Law. This study builds on Social Movement Theory to develop and test a conceptual framework of ISIS messaging strategies. This framework highlights the progression of the organization’s message from mainstream Islamic Law to radical unified reinterpretation. ISIS leaders’ speeches are used to test the model. Ultimately, study findings inform countermessaging strategies and identify mobilization mechanisms.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	871-899
Number of pages	29
Journal	Studies in Conflict and Terrorism
Volume	39
Issue number	10
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/1057610X.2016.1139373
State	Published - Oct 2 2016

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Safety, Risk, Reliability and Quality
Sociology and Political Science
Safety Research
Political Science and International Relations

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10.1080/1057610X.2016.1139373

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abstract = "How does the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) leverage Islamic Law to support their strategic objectives? Islam, as most religions, is a defining catalyst of group identity. ISIS has capitalized on this, using it as a vehicle to legitimize its interpretation of Islamic Law. This study builds on Social Movement Theory to develop and test a conceptual framework of ISIS messaging strategies. This framework highlights the progression of the organization{\textquoteright}s message from mainstream Islamic Law to radical unified reinterpretation. ISIS leaders{\textquoteright} speeches are used to test the model. Ultimately, study findings inform countermessaging strategies and identify mobilization mechanisms.",

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Why ISIS’s message resonates: Leveraging Islam, sociopolitical catalysts, and adaptive messaging

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