Armed Groups and the Politics of Legitimacy

摘要: This article serves as an introduction to a special section on the question of legitimacy non-state armed groups. Starting with short discussion literature groups political actors, authors emphasize importance often-underestimated dimension legitimacy. After having conceptualized in more detail, addresses three key challenges usually face regarding politics legitimacy: first, they need legitimize use violent means; second, for moral and material support, depend beliefs legitimacy; third, simultaneously address various domestic international audiences. Finally, highlight number pending questions further research