Asymmetric Information in the Civil Wars: The Colombian Case

Abstract:     
The aim of this paper is to interpret the relationships between information networks and the armed conflict in Colombia. Over a period of paramilitary violence networks of informants were used with a strategic purpose. In fact, the paramilitaries were preparing each slaughter counting information previously learned between the inhabitants of the town. For these reasons, it is shown that information is a key phenomenon to understand civil wars. Moreover, as demonstrated in this work is the evolution of the slaughter in the civil wars as a result of rumor and information.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 20

Keywords: Colombia, civil wars, massacres, paramilitary, information and rumors, communication

JEL Classification: D83, D8, C7, D82, D80, C72

working papers series