In the Right (Wrong?) Place at the Right Time: A Plausibility Probe of Ziad Munson's Process of Mobilisation, with Violent and Non-violent Evidence.

This paper is a plausibility probe of Ziad Munson’s theory of activist mobilisation, testing its relevance first to non-violent activist mobilisation and then to mobilisation into terroristic violence. As well, a case study of the Canadian terrorist group “Direct Action” is presented. Using both semi-structured interviews and extant research to provide data, Munson’s mobilisation process was tested to determine if its further use, particularly by counterterrorism practitioners, is warranted. Munson’s mobilisation process was found to be relevant to both non-violent activist mobilisation as well as mobilisation into political violence and terrorism. Suggestions are offered for further research.