ISIS and the "War Makes States" Path

Abstract

This paper discusses the progression and evolution of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, also known as ISIS.  The author explains how the group has progressed since its conception, explores possibilities for its evolution in the future, as it relates to and affects the surrounding countries and the international arena.  The author examines the question of whether Charles Tilly’s “War Makes States” theory can be applied to the group in past, present, and future.  The author uses a combination of literature review, critical reading, and research to explain how ISIS follows Tilly’s thesis that states emerge over time from areas of violence and the actions of violent groups. The author concludes that, despite recent territorial losses, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria is evolving towards statehood per Tilly’s model, and that this has ramifications for the rest of the world in that the international arena should act accordingly when dealing with the group in order to forestall this occurrence.