2017/07/03 by Niels Terpstra, G.E. Frerks · 1 citation
Social Sciences · #Gender Politics and Representation #Elite Sociology and Global Capitalism #Migration, Refugees, and Integration
paper · pdf · doi:10.1080/13698249.2017.1393265
openalex publication_date 2017/07/03 · openalex created_date 2017/11/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
Based on extensive fieldwork in Sri Lanka, we analyze how the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) acquired legitimacy and how legitimation impacts civilian perceptions of the rebels. Despite the LTTE’s reliance on coercion to induce compliance, civilians also supported the LTTE and their imagined state of Tamil Eelam voluntarily. Different LTTE strategies and acts helped creating legitimacy. Effective forms of legitimation were rooted in Tamil nationalism, tradition, charismatic leadership, sacrifices made by LTTE cadres and the people’s need for protection. However, the strong reformative socio-political agenda of the LTTE largely failed to engender legitimacy among the population.