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Growing Together, Remaining Apart: The Role of Digital Technology in Former Guerrilla Fighters' Social Capital

Published: 18 October 2021 Publication History

Abstract

In this paper, we present an account of how FARC-EP ex-combatants are using digital technology in the process of reincorporating into Colombian society. We report findings showing how this technology mediates the difficult task of transitioning from a culture of opposition to civilian members and active political actors. Using the concept of social capital as a framework, we investigate the intersection between the use of digital tools and developing cultural and economic practices among these groups during this transitional period. Reflecting on the bonding and bridging aspects of social capital, we describe how ex-combatants draw on substantial social capital from their former lives as a guerrilla army in order to strengthen their position in these new circumstances, and their cautious and difficult creation of new social ties with wider Colombian society. We contribute to the CSCW discourse by discussing the crucial role digital tools, previously not available to these groups, play in sustaining, re-growing and building social capital of communities in post-conflict periods.

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    cover image Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction
    Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction  Volume 5, Issue CSCW2
    CSCW2
    October 2021
    5376 pages
    EISSN:2573-0142
    DOI:10.1145/3493286
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    Published: 18 October 2021
    Published in PACMHCI Volume 5, Issue CSCW2

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    1. FARC
    2. reincorporation
    3. social capital
    4. technological use
    5. transition

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