Fragmented sovereignty: Why Sendero Luminoso consolidated in some regions of Peru but not in others

The four explanations deprivation, availability of rebel financing, counterinsurgent capabilities and political pluralism that are behind the puzzle as to why insurgents control some regions but not others, are tested against the insurgency of Sendero Luminoso in four Peruvian regions, the Upper Huallaga, the Central Huallaga, Ayacucho and Puno. It is revealed that insurgents are not able to control regions where the level of political pluralism is high but they are likely to consolidate in regions where counterinsurgent forces are weak and the level of political pluralism is low.