Programmatic Coordination in Campaigns

Abstract

This chapter explains the role of the common goal of independence that holds together constituents of the campaign who have diverse motivations for joining the campaign. These types include enthusiasts (true believers in independence), expressionists (activists who revel in the struggle), and pragmatists (who see independence as a means to serve economic and political interests). Campaign leaders must allocate incentives to bring each type into the campaign at the proper stage of campaign development and phase of activation, but still limiting the damage that each type of constituent can impose on a campaign if not matched to the right task or time. This micro-level strategy explains why we observe at the macro-level only weak relationships between specific patterns of identity, grievance, and greed to the rise of national-secession campaigns. And it explains why the authenticity and realism of the campaigns program emerge as key constraints on campaign success at programmatic coordination. This chapter includes a brief analysis of the Eritrean struggle for independence to illustrate the importance of programmatic coordination.