He then considers, in order by chapter, the Spanish resistance to Napoleon, the Philippine insurrection, the Irish case, Yugoslav partisans in World War II, Greece after World War II, Kenya and the Mau Mau, Algeria, Vietnam, and Afghanistan. The first case study has an ironic twist to it-it is the American Revolution. Throughout the book, he explores his thesis by examination of a number of case studies-some well know and some less so. Occupation by outsiders creates the conditions for insurgency, then. William Polk begins by observing that one factor is common to insurgencies (page xiii): "no matter how they differ in form, duration, and intensity, a single thread runs through them all: opposition to foreigners. Throughout the book, he explores his thesis by examination of a number of case studi This is a book about insurgency and some of its major tools-terrorism and guerilla warfare. This is a book about insurgency and some of its major tools-terrorism and guerilla warfare. He eventually lands at the present day, where the lessons of this history are needed more than ever as Americans engage in ongoing campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq-and beyond.more Instinctively, in a way they probably wouldn't have described as a coherent strategy, the rebel groups employed the tactics of insurgency.įrom there, Polk explores the role of insurgency in several other notable conflicts, including the Spanish guerrilla war against Napoleon, the Irish struggle for independence, the Algerian War of National Independence, and Vietnam. In Violent Politics, William Polk takes us on a concise, brilliant tour of insurgencies throughout history, starting with the American struggle for independence, when fighters had to battle against both the British and the loyalists, those colonists who sided with the monarchy. Its roots stretch back to our very own revolution. But guerrilla war-fare is not just the tool of modern-day terrorists. In Violent Politics, William Polk takes us on a concise, brilliant tour of insurgencies throughout history, starting with the American struggle for independence In the current Middle East, insurgency tactics are used with frequency and increasing success. In the current Middle East, insurgency tactics are used with frequency and increasing success.