Guerrilla Protest: Understanding Social Movements from a Civil War Framework with the Case of Hong Kong 2019

ABSTRACT

Protests could exhibit properties of an asymmetrical, nonconventional war when paramilitary police utilise counterinsurgency measures and decentralised protestors adopt guerrilla tactics. This study examines the structural characteristics of the 2019 Hong Kong protests and the organisation of the police and protestors. Strategic challenges seen in civil wars emerged. Blurred frontlines and identification problems escalated violence for collaboration and control. The civil war theoretical framework explains the role of civilians, the logic of violence, and the realignment of social and economic life in prolonged protests. The resemblance of society at civil war suggests civilians were forced to take sides and participate.

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No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

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Frankie Ho Chun Wong

Frankie Ho Chun Wong is a PhD candidate in Journalism Studies at the University of Maryland. He obtained his MSc in Security Studies at UCL. His research interests include violent conflict, strategic narratives, and securitisation.