Building a Safety Net

Explaining the Strength of Ex-Military Networks

Datos Bibliográficos

ID6121663
AutoresAnders Themnér (0000-0003-1884-8109, autor de correspondencia), Niklas Karlén (0000-0001-8428-4861)
Año2020
Volumen29
Número2
Páginas268-300
Fecha de publicación2020-03-14
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaSecurity Studies (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0963-6412 • E-ISSN: 1556-1852
EditorialInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/09636412.2020.1722851
OpenAlexW3005698178
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas12

The disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration of ex-combatants has become an integral part of peacebuilding. Although the main purpose of such interventions is to dissolve the military structures of armed groups, there is growing evidence that ex-combatant networks often remain intact. We investigate why such structures continue to thrive. We argue that ex-military networks are stronger when ex-commanders have weak links to elite patronage systems. Ex-combatants who are unable to rely on their former superiors for economic assistance must instead build denser ties to each other to gain access to a social safety net. To assess our argument, we conduct a comparative social network analysis (SNA) of two ex-military networks in Liberia. This innovative approach helps us uncover previously overlooked, but central, dynamics related to ex-combatant groups. We thereby show that SNA provides a range of underutilized tools and exact definitions that can increase our understanding of ex-military networks

Combatant · Demobilization · Disarmament · Elite · Peacebuilding · Political science · Politics · Sociology · International Relations and Foreign Policy · Law · Peacebuilding and International Security · Political Conflict and Governance

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