The Coercion-Manipulation-Persuasion Framework: Analyzing the Modus Operandi of Systems of Non-State Actors

Figures & data

Table 1. The CMPf and a non-exhaustive list of examples of tactics clustered according to influence modes and categories

		INFLUENCE MODES
		COERCION “the power to hurt”	MANIPULATION “the power to deceive”	PERSUASION “the power to convince”
CATEGORIES	PHYSICAL/MATERIAL	Terrorist attack Physical/cyber attacks Sabotage Kidnapping Provocations of social unrest and agent provocateur Financial extorsion Forced relocation and/or restriction of movement Privation of resources and/or opportunities	Stratagem, denial and deception Money laundering	Provision of welfare Provision of medical healthcare Provision of educative material Provision of employment Economic support (Foreign) direct investment
	SYMBOLIC	Destruction of cultural heritage Enforcement/prohibition of religion/culture Enforcement /prohibition of language usage Symbolic representation Hate speech and threats of harassment	Propaganda, disinformation and misinformation Indoctrination and/or (mis)use of academic curriculum Reinterpretation of history/religion (Mis)use and of identity elements Politicization of language Social engineering	Use of material and immaterial cultural heritage Use of narratives Symbolic representation Activism Engagement in diasporas Protests and demonstrations Community engagement
	INSTITUTIONAL	Legalization or illegalization of specific actions Infiltration and exploitation of institutional powers (i.e., executive, administrative, and legislative) Use of companies as headquarters Support to/from institutions Boycott	Inference in electoral processes (Mis)use of political agendas (Mis)use of census and/or scientific knowledge (Mis)use of the legal system and/or exploitation of legal thresholds Use of front organizations Creation of media companies/channels for echoing their own narratives	Use of NGOs, charities Use of educative institutions Use of welfare institutions Use of legal institutions Use of public institutions
	STRATEGIC	Alliances with non-state actors Alliances with state actors Illegal operations and financing Intelligence operations Recruitment strategies	Exploitation of legal thresholds Changing names of individuals and organizations (to avoid prosecution and increase confusion) Infiltration into existing milieus/sectors Transformation/scission into a political organization (without rejecting violence nor collaborating with law enforcement units) Recruitment strategies	Alliances with state actors Establishment of legal proxies (e.g., businesses, NGOs, NPOs, etc.) Involvement in national/regional/local politics Use of bargaining chips (e.g., in national politics) Recruitment strategies