Democracy's Discontents.

CIVIL war; DEMOCRATIZATION; DEMOCRACY; COLOMBIA -- History -- 1946-1974; POLITICAL change; WAR & society; POLITICAL science

The article discusses a study regarding the establishment of democracy after a civil war. Discussed is the political science concept that every faction must have a sense that it can attain power peacefully. The study uses Colombia's mid-twentieth century civil war, known as "La Violencia," as an example to disprove that notion. If two sides are equally matched in power they might choose open war to achieve a more decisive victory, rather than pursuing a peaceful alternative.