Wolfgang Minatti
I am a PhD Researcher at the Department of Political and Social Sciences at the European University Institute in Florence. With a background in Political Science and International Relations, I focus on violent non-state actors, rebel strategy and governance in civil wars.
My PhD project investigates the legitimation of state and non-state actors during civil war. I develop a theoretical framework that allows to map the micro-dynamics of legitimacy and elaborates on the processes that lead to the legitimation of certain actors in the eyes of a population. For the project, I am advised by Professor Jeffrey Checkel.
Before joining the European University Institute in 2019, I obtained a Bachelors’ degree at the University Innsbruck (Austria) and a Masters’ degree at Leiden University (The Netherlands). In between my studies I have also worked in Cairo (Egypt) as an intern for the Austrian Economic Chamber.
Civil War
What is the role of ideation in civil war? What are the ethics of fieldwork in contexts of political violence?
Rebel Strategy
Which patterns shape non-state actor strategic thought? What drives military and strategy adaptation of rebel groups?
Governance
How do armed actors govern in civil war? How is governance negotiated between civilians and governance providers?
Legitimacy
Why and how do armed actors legitimise themselves in civil war? How can we theorise and operationalise legitimation in violent contexts?
Curriculum Vitae
Education
Since Sep 2019
European University Institute, Florence, Italy
Since Sep 2019
Sep 2019 - Jun 2020
European University Institute, Florence, Italy
Sep 2019 - Jun 2020
Sep 2018 - Jul 2019
Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
Sep 2018 - Jul 2019
Oct 2015 - Feb 2018
University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
Oct 2015 - Feb 2018
Oct 2015 - Feb 2018
University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
Oct 2015 - Feb 2018
Experience
Since Sep 2020
European University Institute, Florence, Italy
Since Sep 2020
May 2018 - Jun 2018
Advantage Austria, Cairo, Egypt
May 2018 - Jun 2018
Apr 2017 - Aug 2018
Akademisches Forum für Außenpolitik (AFA), Innsbruck, Austria
Apr 2017 - Aug 2018
Publications
The Challenges of the Afghan Peace Talks
Published in EUIdeas
Concepts of Legitimacy: Congruence and Divergence in the Afghan Conflict
Published in Civil Wars, 22(1), pp. 1-15, with Isabelle Duyvesteyn