Collective Action and Armed Group Presence in Colombia

45 Pages Posted: 30 Aug 2014

See all articles by Margarita Gafaro

Margarita Gafaro

Brown University

Patricia Justino

University of Sussex - Institute of Development Studies

Ana M. Ibáñez

Universidad de los Andes, Colombia - Department of Economics

Date Written: July 9, 2014

Abstract

The main objective of this paper is to provide empirical evidence on the mechanisms that shape the relationship between violent conflict and collective action. Conflict dynamics in Colombia allow us to exploit rich variation in armed group presence and individual participation in local organizations. Our identification strategy is based on the construction of contiguous-pairs of rural communities that share common socio-economic characteristics but differ in armed group presence. This allows us to control for unobservable variables that may affect local participation and conflict dynamics simultaneously. The results show that the presence of armed groups increases overall participation in local organizations, with a particularly strong effect on political organizations. Contrary to existing results, we find that stronger individual participation may arise from coercion exercised by armed groups and not from a more vibrant civil society.

Keywords: collective action, political organizations, armed groups, violent shocks

JEL Classification: P37, D74, H56

Suggested Citation

Gafaro, Margarita and Justino, Patricia and Ibáñez, Ana María, Collective Action and Armed Group Presence in Colombia (July 9, 2014). Documento CEDE No. 2014-28, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2489128 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2489128

Margarita Gafaro (Contact Author)

Brown University ( email )

Box 1860
Providence, RI 02912
United States

Patricia Justino

University of Sussex - Institute of Development Studies ( email )

Brighton
Falmer, Brighton, East Sussex BN1 9RE
United Kingdom

Ana María Ibáñez

Universidad de los Andes, Colombia - Department of Economics ( email )

Carrera 1a No. 18A-10
Santafe de Bogota, AA4976
Colombia
571 339 4949 Ext. 3634 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://economia.uniandes.edu.co/~economia/html/profesores/profesores.php?modo=mostrar&id=145

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