Armed insurgencies and guerilla warfare have plagued the stability of Latin American governments throughout their paths towards democratic development. In recent discussions of the peace talks between the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the Colombian government, a controversial issue has been whether negotiating with the guerilla would bring political stability to the nation. On one hand, some argue that the inclusion of the FARC in political affairs would ultimately delegitimize the government’s authority by having them cede to terrorist demands. On the other hand, supporters of these efforts claim that the government’s efforts to stop the group have not alleviated the violent circumstances affecting the country. Ultimately,
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The birth of the FARC characterizes Colombia’s historical economic and political struggles. Firstly, the existence of a powerful landholding elite stems from Colombia’s colonial past, which placed coffee as the state’s primary source of revenue. This economical model, which carried on to Colombia after its independence, marked the social makeup of the nation. As a result, in the 1920s peasants revolted against the landholding elite over unfair working conditions. This began a period of civil war known as “La Violencia” (the violence) . Shortly after, the Colombian government launched a counterattack on the peasants, which pushed the Colombian Communist Party (CCP) to establish the FARC in order to protect and channel the demands of the revolting peasants . Its main goal became the demanding of social, political and economical reformation of the Colombian state. However, the inability of the state to meet those demands soon took the form as its main …show more content…
Historically, this is due to the organization’s source of wealth. During the late 1970’s the exportation of cocaine became the FARCs main source of revenue . This composed the main attractive factor for the poor to join the organization. Despite harming its reputation by labeling the organization as a drug cartel, in reality the FARVC became the alternative of social mobility for those neglected by the state. Essentially, the FARC continues to exist and function as an alternative to Colombia’s living standards. This is proved by the major social composition of the group, which is characterized by poor living conditions and educational capabilities . “The combination of university education and subsequent unemployment or underemployment appears particularly significant, ” which supports the hypothesis that the reason that this group has gathered such a large population is related to Colombia’s existing conditions. FARC functions as an alternate living standard because of lacking employment opportunities and access of educational services in rural areas. On the other hand, by studying the motivations of former members of the FARC it is evident that the state has failed in successfully allocating resources to rural centers. For example, former members raked living conditions to economic status as medium in importance . Therefore, Colombia’s lagging improvements signify the FARC’s political
The birth of the FARC characterizes Colombia’s historical economic and political struggles. Firstly, the existence of a powerful landholding elite stems from Colombia’s colonial past, which placed coffee as the state’s primary source of revenue. This economical model, which carried on to Colombia after its independence, marked the social makeup of the nation. As a result, in the 1920s peasants revolted against the landholding elite over unfair working conditions. This began a period of civil war known as “La Violencia” (the violence) . Shortly after, the Colombian government launched a counterattack on the peasants, which pushed the Colombian Communist Party (CCP) to establish the FARC in order to protect and channel the demands of the revolting peasants . Its main goal became the demanding of social, political and economical reformation of the Colombian state. However, the inability of the state to meet those demands soon took the form as its main …show more content…
Historically, this is due to the organization’s source of wealth. During the late 1970’s the exportation of cocaine became the FARCs main source of revenue . This composed the main attractive factor for the poor to join the organization. Despite harming its reputation by labeling the organization as a drug cartel, in reality the FARVC became the alternative of social mobility for those neglected by the state. Essentially, the FARC continues to exist and function as an alternative to Colombia’s living standards. This is proved by the major social composition of the group, which is characterized by poor living conditions and educational capabilities . “The combination of university education and subsequent unemployment or underemployment appears particularly significant, ” which supports the hypothesis that the reason that this group has gathered such a large population is related to Colombia’s existing conditions. FARC functions as an alternate living standard because of lacking employment opportunities and access of educational services in rural areas. On the other hand, by studying the motivations of former members of the FARC it is evident that the state has failed in successfully allocating resources to rural centers. For example, former members raked living conditions to economic status as medium in importance . Therefore, Colombia’s lagging improvements signify the FARC’s political