Overview

The meaning and implications of insurrections has been profoundly changed by the proliferation of Web 2.0 and now Web 3.0 in addition to the advent of big data analysis. Through these platforms, the unorganized militia randomly participating in the war has increased. Online activists and social movements continue to challenge us to think about what cyberspace is and how it can be used. The heyday of the Provisional IRA pre-dated the advent of the Internet; however there is a vibrant Irish Republican community online. The Social Movement Network of the IRA uses the Internet as one of the only places that this network can exist and prosper with limited fear of reprisal. Websites, discussion forums, and social network platforms, as well as other information communication technologies, are used by supporters of the Violent Dissident Republican (VDR) movement in order to disseminate content that supports the ideals and goals of the dissidents. Growing levels of support are evident online via social networking sites. This research seeks to provide an appreciation and analysis of the online strategies, tactics, and techniques used by dissident Irish Republicans. This type of propaganda analysis is essential to developing an effective understanding of who these unrostered volunteers are as well as how they are acquired. This understanding will enable Commanders at all levels to more effectively leverage and operate in this emerging battlespace. CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW * Primary Research Question * Secondary Research Questions * Conclusion * CHAPTER 2 - LITERATURE REVIEW * Influence Theory * Rules of Social Influence * Group Dynamics * The Development of Collective Action * Social Movement * The Internet, Web 2.0 and Collective Action * The IRA * Historical Background * Violent Dissident Republican Organizations * VDR and Web 2.0 * CHAPTER 3 - METHODOLOGY * CHAPTER 4 - ANALYSIS * CHAPTER 5 - CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS * Conclusions * Recommendations * Areas for Further Study Activists have not only incorporated cyberspace and online communities into their approaches but have also greatly altered the definitions of activism, community, collective identity, and political strategy. Online activists and social movements continue to challenge us to think about what cyberspace is and how it can be used. The heyday of the Provisional IRA pre-dated the advent of the Internet; however there is a vibrant Irish Republican community online. The Social Movement Network of the IRA uses the Internet as one of the only places that this network can exist and prosper with limited fear of reprisal. Websites, discussion forums, and social network platforms as well as other information communication technologies, are used by supporters of the Violent Dissident Republican (VDR) movement in order to disseminate content that supports the ideals and goals of the dissidents. Growing levels of support are evident online via social networking sites which are heavily populated by teens and young adults who were born after the Good Friday Agreement.26 An appreciation of the online strategies, tactics, and techniques used by dissident Irish Republicans, is essential to developing effective dissenting points of views and counter narratives. Activists have not only incorporated cyberspace and online communities into their approaches but have also greatly altered the definitions of activism, community, collective identity, and political strategy. Online activists and social movements continue to challenge us to think about what cyberspace is and how it can be used. The heyday of the Provisional IRA pre-dated the advent of the Internet; however there is a vibrant Irish Republican community online.

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