There are three key concepts to the model. In a conflict trap, the experience of the conflict itself feeds back to cause additional components of the conflict. This is a major underlying risk once a country engages in conflict. Roughly half the countries examined in the study have fallen back into conflict. Secondly, grievances are both objective or subjective, but for a rebel group to generate conflict, it must generate and maintain grievances to motivate its members.
Many organizations have grievances.
Grievances exist everywhere. The Michigan militia has grievances. In order to succeed, however, rebel organizations must effectively create and maintain a high level of grievances within their ranks. Thirdly, there are three constraints to building a viable rebel organization. In ethnically diverse societies, cohesion is a critical component to a rebel organization.