What factors determine ex-combatants’ degree of trust in the state after their demobilisation? This paper presents the first empirical examination of this question through a survey of 1,485 former members of paramilitary and guerrilla groups in Colombia. The study found no evidence that social capital increased trust in the state. It also found that former fighters’ continued contact with their own group had no negative impacts upon broader trust. However, findings suggested that some forms of “anti-social” capital may have lasting negative effects.
War-torn societies are often characterised by generalised distrust, both among citizens and between citizens and the state. Even long after conflict ends, former combatants who participated in violence and challenged the state’s monopoly on the legitimate use of force may have an especially unsettled relationship with the state. After demobilisation, their potential relapse into armed struggle is thought to pose a severe risk to security and stability.
- The paper notes that both social and institutional theories help to explain variation in the level of trust in the state among ex-combatants. Findings include the following:Participation in civic and association life has no discernible impact on ex-combatants’ trust in the state.
- However, contrary to the warnings of disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration (DDR) practitioners, continuing connection between former fighters has a neutral to positive impact on trust, especially for former guerrillas.
- Intense socialisation within the armed group during wartime has a corrosive impact on trust in the state, even years after demobilisation. This finding suggests that the formation of “anti-social capital” may be difficult to reverse.
- With respect to institutional theories of trust, ex-combatants who perceive that the state performs well in important policy areas, such as the protection of civil and political rights, exhibit stronger trust. However, while conventional wisdom holds that ex-combatants are principally interested in material benefits, no relationship was found between individual measures of well-being, including unemployment, and lower levels of trust in the state.
