Insurgency group is a military organization that uses violence to challenge and replace the existing government. Its members are dedicated to the group’s goal of replacing a government with one that is more democratic and less oppressive. They usually operate outside the law and are not formally declared an armed force by their State but may be subject to the laws of war if they engage in activities that qualify as “acts of war.”
The insurgency movement is generally a small minority of people who wish to participate directly in its effort to overthrow the existing government. Many have serious grievances with their governments and no legal means of redress. They may become active insurgents or sympathetic supporters.
Even insurgents who have limited numbers of direct participants can have a significant influence on the wider society. They use propaganda to convince the broader population that their cause is just and necessary. They also aim to impress their enemy, the government, by demonstrating their power. They fear that, if they fail to achieve either of these goals, their campaign will fade.
A successful insurgency requires not only a substantial core of activists, but also a broad base of support and sympathy. Insurgent movements must raise funds for weapons and other needs, and they frequently depend on the illegal drug trade and other sources of income. They must also recruit second and third generation members to keep the movement young. Its leaders must strike a balance between the need to expand the group, the need to maintain discipline and the need to avoid splintering within the overall movement.