Research Article

Prior Rebel Experience of Leaders and Its Influence on Physical Integrity Rights

Volume: 8 Number: 2 December 31, 2023
TR EN

Prior Rebel Experience of Leaders and Its Influence on Physical Integrity Rights

Abstract

Previous research shows that leaders’ prior experiences influence their policy decisions. The existing human rights literature focuses mainly on country-level factors, such as economic development, regime type and the conflict situations to explain violations of rights. This research contributes to a flourishing literature on leaders’ role in upholding rights by theorizing why and how the prior experiences of leaders affect the propensity to violate physical integrity rights. It is argued in this article that leaders with a rebel experience, and who have experienced victory in rebellion are less likely to respect human rights, while those who have suffered defeat are more likely to do so. Both types of leaders have demonstrated a willingness to take risks, but in the former case, victory reinforces their belief in taking risks, leading them to keep risk-taking, whereas in the latter, defeat teaches leaders to become more risk averse. Infringing on human rights is indeed risky, potentially leading to negative consequences such as a damaged reputation, accountability, and social upheaval. The empirical analysis of the research demonstrates that having a rebel background alone does not inherently influence a leader's behavior regarding human rights; what matters is the outcome of the rebellion. The probability of showing respect for rights decreases when a rebellion is won, while it increases when there has been a previous loss in rebellion. The article highlights the importance of using leaders, rather than just states, as a unit of analysis to explain why certain countries commit human rights violations.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

The University of Mississippi

Ethical Statement

In line with the “COPE-Code of Conduct and Best Practice Guidelines for Journal Editors” the following statements are included: The author of this study declared that the Ethics Committee approval is not required for this study.

Thanks

The author would like to thank Benjamin T. Jones for his helpful feedback on this research.

References

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  7. Bueno de Mesquita, B., Smith, A., Siverson, R., & Morrow, J. (2003). The logic of political survival. MIT Press, DOI: 10.7551/mitpress/4292.001.0001
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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Comparative Political Movement

Journal Section

Research Article

Early Pub Date

December 29, 2023

Publication Date

December 31, 2023

Submission Date

July 18, 2023

Acceptance Date

November 16, 2023

Published in Issue

Year 2023 Volume: 8 Number: 2

APA
Yıldız, A. (2023). Prior Rebel Experience of Leaders and Its Influence on Physical Integrity Rights. Aurum Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 8(2), 173-196. https://doi.org/10.62393/aurum.1329167
AMA
1.Yıldız A. Prior Rebel Experience of Leaders and Its Influence on Physical Integrity Rights. Aurum Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi. 2023;8(2):173-196. doi:10.62393/aurum.1329167
Chicago
Yıldız, Adil. 2023. “Prior Rebel Experience of Leaders and Its Influence on Physical Integrity Rights”. Aurum Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi 8 (2): 173-96. https://doi.org/10.62393/aurum.1329167.
EndNote
Yıldız A (December 1, 2023) Prior Rebel Experience of Leaders and Its Influence on Physical Integrity Rights. Aurum Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi 8 2 173–196.
IEEE
[1]A. Yıldız, “Prior Rebel Experience of Leaders and Its Influence on Physical Integrity Rights”, Aurum Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 173–196, Dec. 2023, doi: 10.62393/aurum.1329167.
ISNAD
Yıldız, Adil. “Prior Rebel Experience of Leaders and Its Influence on Physical Integrity Rights”. Aurum Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi 8/2 (December 1, 2023): 173-196. https://doi.org/10.62393/aurum.1329167.
JAMA
1.Yıldız A. Prior Rebel Experience of Leaders and Its Influence on Physical Integrity Rights. Aurum Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi. 2023;8:173–196.
MLA
Yıldız, Adil. “Prior Rebel Experience of Leaders and Its Influence on Physical Integrity Rights”. Aurum Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, vol. 8, no. 2, Dec. 2023, pp. 173-96, doi:10.62393/aurum.1329167.
Vancouver
1.Adil Yıldız. Prior Rebel Experience of Leaders and Its Influence on Physical Integrity Rights. Aurum Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi. 2023 Dec. 1;8(2):173-96. doi:10.62393/aurum.1329167