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AbstractThis paper examines the tactical redistribution of public resources by an incumbent seeking reelection in a country in the midst of an armed conflict. The illegal armed groups in Colombia are known to have extreme ideological beliefs; the guerrillas lean far to the Left, and the paramilitaries, far to the Right. The model and the empirical results show that regions with powerful groups who have a defined political ideology are less strategically attractive when it comes to the distribution of government resources. Nevertheless, when an illegal group can coerce voters to support a candidate and decide between candidates, as in the case of paramilitaries, redistribution is targeted to the illegal group. As a natural experiment, this paper empirically tests the effect of a policy to demobilize and reintegrate the members of paramilitary groups into society, so as to show the decisions on redistribution change when paramilitary forces do not exercise control in the municipalities.

The intent of this monograph was to explore the multiple dimensions of Colombia's ongoing crisis and inform the public debate regarding the challenges faced by the statesmen, intellectuals, military strategists, and others who take on the responsibility to deal with that crisis. Hopefully, it will also generate serious reflection about the tough choices Colombian, U.S., and other global leaders face. The author points out, first, that the Colombian paramilitary self-defense forces represent some important sectors of society, and enjoy more popular support from Colombian society than the insurgents. Second, the paramilitaries have developed into a powerful irregular force that is proving itself capable of challenging Colombian guerrillas. Third, while they commit horrendous atrocities, they have been successful where the state has not. Therefore, the paramilitaries are seen by many as a viable solution to the conflict. Finally, he argues that, until the segments of the society represented by the paramilitaries are--somehow-- incorporated into the solution to the Colombian crisis, there will be no solution. ; https://press.armywarcollege.edu/monographs/1829/thumbnail.jpg

The relationship between paramilitaries & the press in Northern Ireland is examined to determine the factors responsible for changing media coverage of such groups. Analysis of several communicative methods -- statements, staged events, publications, briefings, & murals -- employed by Northern Ireland's paramilitary groups is performed to demonstrate the various strategies media outlets use to differentiate news about the paramilitary groups & group propaganda. It is subsequently asserted that media coverage of Northern Ireland's paramilitary groups enhanced relations between the groups & the UK government. Several factors responsible for the changed relations between the media, paramilitary groups, & government are subsequently identified including the extension of electoral participation, paramilitary group members' electoral success, the emergence of paramilitary celebrities in the national media, & the appearance of other extremist groups. J. W. Parker

Two years after the start of negotiations for the demobilization of paramilitary groups, Colombian President Alvaro Uribe plans to present a draft law to govern demobilization at an international donors' conference in Cartagena, Colombia, on February 3-4, 2005. With the right legal framework, the demobilization process could have a significant impact in reducing human rights violations in Colombia. But unless the law takes into account the complexity, power, and regenerative capacity of paramilitary mafias, there is a serious risk that the demobilization process will simply give paramilitary leaders the benefits they seek without resulting in any real advances in terms of accountability or peace.

"December 2001" ; "This monograph supplements a special series stemming from a major conference entitled "Implementing Plan Colombia: Strategic and Operational Imperative,".cosponsored by the Dante B. Fascell North-South Center of the University of Miami and the Strategic Studies Institute of the U.S. Army War College."--Forward. ; Includes bibliographical references (p. 24-25). ; Mode of access: Internet.