Social Capital and the Reintegration of Former Combatants

Colombian Paramilitaries, Guerrillas and Their Leaders

By: James Meernik, Gustavo Duncan, Juan Camilo Gaviria Henao, Clarita Toro Uribe

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eText | 1 December 2025 | Edition Number 1

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This book develops a theory of successful reintegration after intra-state conflict, centred on the development of social capital and its use by former combatants after demobilization.

The book shows that those former combatants who are able to develop social ties and social capital in their communities, with their families and through involvement in peacebuilding activities will be more likely to experience successful reintegration as measured by their satisfaction with the reintegration process. The volume's research is based primarily on the results of a survey of former combatants in Colombia's conflict. The authors surveyed former members of the two largest and most powerful of the armed actors - the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (or AUC) and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia - People's Army (FARC-EP). The book assesses the former combatants' evaluations of reconciliation processes, the prospects for the success of these efforts, and their own involvement in reconciliation programs to evaluate the extent to which former combatants are making successful efforts in this regard and whether their social capital influences their willingness to reconcile.

This book will be of much interest to students of peacebuilding, intra-state conflict, Latin American politics and International Relations.