KRM 220 Section B ©WM Moagi
CHAPTER 4: ASSASINATION
ASSASSINATION
It is part of social reality since the emergence of communal frameworks
It is used by leaders of tribes and villages to defend their statuses.
Featured in the rise and fall of empires (Alexander the great’s ascendance to power).
Continues to play an important role in modern times
They are understudied and poorly understood
Political assassination
Is the deliberate, premeditated, murder of a figure for political reasons
CAUSES OF ASSASSINATIONS
Restrictions on political competition and strong polarization and fragmentation.
Lack of consensual political ethos and homogenous populations
Politically deprived groups which results in a decline in the legitimacy of political
leadership and systems – direct attack against political leaders.
Domestic violence during election periods
Territorial fragmentation of a country – loss of control over some parts of a country to
opposing groups.
Facilitators of assassinations
polities must be susceptible to assassination
non-democratic political environments
TARGETS OF ASSASSINATIONS
Heads of state
Lower- ranking political figure
Legislators
Acts of protection against an existing political order
Vice head of states
It is Rare
Intended to promote policy changes & prevent ascending to head of state lead.
Opposition leaders
Authoritarian systems
Vulnerable on violent domestic conflicts.
Strategic Goals
Inspire the Believers
Exacerbate Social Divides
Strategy of Provocation
, KRM 220 Section B ©WM Moagi
IMPLICATIONS OF AN ASSASSINATION OF A POLITICAL LEADER
Intensify prospects of a state’s fragmentation and undermine its democratic nature.
Assassination of heads Decline in the democratic nature of a polity
of state Increase in domestic violence
Instability and economic prosperity
rise of a more open economic power
Opposition leaders Increase overall unrest and domestic violence.
Legislators Public unrest (anti-government demonstrations)
Decline in legitimacy of the government.
THE POLICY IMPLICATIONS OF POLITICAL ASSASSINATIONS
Role of Policy Makers Promotion of political and social conditions (political participation)
Addressing political grievances
Stable and regulated succession mechanisms
Stable routines and protocols, and creation of institutions
Safety of political and opposition leaders.
Law Enforcers Most assassins previously involved in criminal activities
Veterans may be preferred to perform an assassination.
CHAPTER 4: ASSASINATION
ASSASSINATION
It is part of social reality since the emergence of communal frameworks
It is used by leaders of tribes and villages to defend their statuses.
Featured in the rise and fall of empires (Alexander the great’s ascendance to power).
Continues to play an important role in modern times
They are understudied and poorly understood
Political assassination
Is the deliberate, premeditated, murder of a figure for political reasons
CAUSES OF ASSASSINATIONS
Restrictions on political competition and strong polarization and fragmentation.
Lack of consensual political ethos and homogenous populations
Politically deprived groups which results in a decline in the legitimacy of political
leadership and systems – direct attack against political leaders.
Domestic violence during election periods
Territorial fragmentation of a country – loss of control over some parts of a country to
opposing groups.
Facilitators of assassinations
polities must be susceptible to assassination
non-democratic political environments
TARGETS OF ASSASSINATIONS
Heads of state
Lower- ranking political figure
Legislators
Acts of protection against an existing political order
Vice head of states
It is Rare
Intended to promote policy changes & prevent ascending to head of state lead.
Opposition leaders
Authoritarian systems
Vulnerable on violent domestic conflicts.
Strategic Goals
Inspire the Believers
Exacerbate Social Divides
Strategy of Provocation
, KRM 220 Section B ©WM Moagi
IMPLICATIONS OF AN ASSASSINATION OF A POLITICAL LEADER
Intensify prospects of a state’s fragmentation and undermine its democratic nature.
Assassination of heads Decline in the democratic nature of a polity
of state Increase in domestic violence
Instability and economic prosperity
rise of a more open economic power
Opposition leaders Increase overall unrest and domestic violence.
Legislators Public unrest (anti-government demonstrations)
Decline in legitimacy of the government.
THE POLICY IMPLICATIONS OF POLITICAL ASSASSINATIONS
Role of Policy Makers Promotion of political and social conditions (political participation)
Addressing political grievances
Stable and regulated succession mechanisms
Stable routines and protocols, and creation of institutions
Safety of political and opposition leaders.
Law Enforcers Most assassins previously involved in criminal activities
Veterans may be preferred to perform an assassination.
