Marie Michael Library

Violence, power and participation: Building citizenship in contexts of chronic violence

Pearce, Jenny

This paper is about civil society participation in two contexts of violence: Colombia and Guatemala. It explores the extent to which CSOs can build citizenship in such areas and address violence. To do this, it is important to clarify the relationship between power and violence. Dominating power correlates with violence and loss or gain of such power can lead to more violence. The paper questions whether non-dominating forms of power are needed to address the effects on human relationships. If non-violence and non-dominating power become the social norm, this might enhance citizenship and participation in ways that tackle other forms of violence.