Motives for the enlistment and demobilization of illegal armed combatants in Colombia.

Abstract

This study explores and compares the motives for the enlistment and demobilization of illegal armed combatants in Colombia, members of guerrillas, and paramilitary groups. An exploratory principal-axis factor analysis was conducted on survey responses of 682 ex-combatants. Four factors emerged for the enlistment: fun and adventure, economic safety, retaliation, and promises. Six first-order factors explained demobilization: survival, physical–psychological safety, civilian safety, justice, self-determination, and belongingness. Factoring of first-order demobilization factors yielded two higher order factors: safety and social relationships. Logistic regression analyses revealed significant group differences in economic safety, promises, physical–psychological safety, justice, and self-determination. Implications for the prevention of enlistment and the promotion of demobilization are discussed.