This paper attempts to analyze the distinction of friend and enemy in the Colombian armed conflict, exploring the causes of its emergence, examining the most intense phases of enmity during the conflict and evaluating the possibilities of reconciliation.
Colombian history has been heavily marked by a longstanding internal armed conflict of decades, accompanied by a remarkable political, and even moral discourse of the friend and the enemy. The distinct phases of the distinction between friend and enemy have reflected either a political tension between the involved actors, or a brutal confrontation that has led until the present time to a devastating outcome. However, the radicalization of the enmity, especially characteristic of the last decades, has attenuated with the enhanced desire of peacebuilding in the country. In this sense, the Peace Accords of 2016 can be considered as an important milestone towards peaceful coexistence and as a vital step in the reconsideration of the friendenemy distinction.
In order to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the Colombian armed conflict from this theoretical framework, some of the most important aspects of its emergence, development and resolution will be analyzed in accord with core arguments of the Concept of The Political and the Theory of the Partisan of Carl Schmitt. On one side it is attempted to determine if the typical friend-enemy distinction of the German political theorist can be applied to the Colombian case. On the other hand, it should be analyzed on what extent the FARC, seen as the public enemy, reflect the partisan nature and personify the absolute enemy characterized by Schmitt. Likewise, it should be evaluated if the different phases of the friend-enemy distinction, directly connected to a degree of political tension and enmity, can also be found in the development of Colombian armed conflict throughout its prolonged history.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Carl Schmitt: War as extreme manifestation of hostility and partisanship as personification of the enemy
- 2.1 Differentiation between friend and enemy: explanation of the emergence of conflict
- 2.3 Prospects of reconciliation: turn from absolute enmity into real enmity
- 3. Colombian internal armed conflict as a result of the enmity between guerrilla groups and the State
- 3.1 Ideological emergence of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) as enemy of the State.
- 3.2 Evolution and development of the armed conflict in Colombia: radicalization of the enemy
- 3.3 Peace agreement of 2016 between FARC and the national government: challenges of reconciliation
- 4. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper analyzes Carl Schmitt's concept of the friend-enemy distinction within the context of the Colombian armed conflict. It aims to explore the emergence of the conflict, the intensification of enmity over time, and the prospects for reconciliation. The analysis utilizes Schmitt's theoretical framework to understand the conflict's development and potential for peaceful resolution.
- The application of Schmitt's friend-enemy distinction to the Colombian conflict.
- The evolution of enmity in the Colombian conflict and its various phases.
- The role of the FARC as a "public enemy" within Schmitt's framework.
- The challenges and possibilities of reconciliation in the Colombian context.
- The transition from absolute to real enmity as a pathway to peace.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the analysis by outlining the long-standing internal armed conflict in Colombia and its framing within the discourse of friend and enemy. It highlights the shifting nature of this distinction, from political tension to brutal confrontation, and acknowledges the Peace Accords of 2016 as a potential turning point toward peaceful coexistence. The chapter establishes Carl Schmitt's theoretical framework as the lens through which the Colombian conflict will be examined, focusing on the emergence, development, and resolution of the conflict. It previews the examination of whether Schmitt's model accurately reflects the Colombian situation and explores the extent to which the FARC embodies Schmitt's concept of the absolute enemy. The chapter concludes by emphasizing the limited research on the prospects for reconciliation, setting this as a key focus for the paper.
2. Carl Schmitt: War as extreme manifestation of hostility and partisanship as personification of the enemy: This chapter delves into Schmitt's theory of the friend-enemy distinction, emphasizing its apolitical nature and rejecting subjective or moral interpretations. It differentiates between the public enemy ("hostis") and the private enemy ("inimicus"), highlighting the political implications of the former. The chapter explores how the state designates the enemy and how this designation reflects the most extreme form of political antagonism, potentially leading to war or revolution. Schmitt's distinction between political and party-political antagonism is also examined, emphasizing the potential for intense internal conflict to surpass external conflict in intensity. The chapter examines Schmitt's perspective on war as an armed conflict between organized political entities, contrasting it with civil war within a single, albeit fractured, unit. The chapter concludes by introducing additional authors whose work provides historical context to the Colombian conflict, setting the stage for the application of Schmitt's theory to the specific case study.
3. Colombian internal armed conflict as a result of the enmity between guerrilla groups and the State: This chapter analyzes the Colombian armed conflict through the lens of Schmitt's framework. It examines the ideological emergence of the FARC as an enemy of the state, tracing the evolution and radicalization of the conflict. The chapter details the various stages of the conflict, demonstrating how the relationship between the FARC and the Colombian state has fluctuated in intensity and characterized different phases of the armed conflict. It explores the challenges to reconciliation efforts and considers the significance of the 2016 peace agreement, its promises and limitations as a step towards peaceful coexistence and a re-evaluation of the friend-enemy distinction. The chapter incorporates various sources to provide a broad picture of the historical development of the conflict, contextualizing its different stages within Schmitt's theoretical parameters.
Keywords
Carl Schmitt, friend-enemy distinction, Colombian armed conflict, FARC, reconciliation, peace process, absolute enmity, partisanship, political theory, conflict resolution.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of the Colombian Armed Conflict Through Carl Schmitt's Lens
What is the main topic of this paper?
This paper analyzes the Colombian internal armed conflict through the theoretical framework of Carl Schmitt's concept of the "friend-enemy" distinction. It examines the emergence, intensification, and potential resolution of the conflict, focusing on the role of the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) and the challenges of reconciliation.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include the application of Schmitt's friend-enemy distinction to the Colombian context; the evolution of enmity in the conflict; the FARC's role as a "public enemy"; the challenges and possibilities of reconciliation; and the transition from "absolute" to "real" enmity as a pathway to peace.
What is Carl Schmitt's concept of the friend-enemy distinction?
The paper explores Schmitt's theory, emphasizing its apolitical nature and the distinction between a public enemy ("hostis") and a private enemy ("inimicus"). It highlights how the state designates the enemy, representing the most extreme form of political antagonism, potentially leading to war or revolution. The theory also distinguishes between political and party-political antagonism and examines Schmitt's view of war as an armed conflict between organized political entities, contrasting it with internal conflict.
How does the paper apply Schmitt's theory to the Colombian conflict?
The paper analyzes the Colombian armed conflict by examining the ideological emergence of the FARC as an enemy of the state, tracing the conflict's evolution and radicalization. It details the conflict's stages, showing how the FARC-state relationship fluctuated in intensity, and explores challenges to reconciliation efforts, including the 2016 peace agreement and its limitations.
What are the key chapters and their contents?
The paper includes an introduction outlining the Colombian conflict and Schmitt's framework; a chapter on Schmitt's theory of the friend-enemy distinction; a chapter analyzing the Colombian conflict through Schmitt's lens, focusing on the FARC and the peace process; and a conclusion. Each chapter provides a detailed summary in the document.
What are the main findings or arguments of the paper?
The paper aims to determine the applicability of Schmitt's framework to understanding the complexities of the Colombian armed conflict. It analyzes the evolution of the "friend-enemy" distinction within the conflict, assesses the role of the FARC, and explores the challenges and possibilities of achieving lasting peace and reconciliation.
What are the keywords associated with this paper?
Keywords include Carl Schmitt, friend-enemy distinction, Colombian armed conflict, FARC, reconciliation, peace process, absolute enmity, partisanship, political theory, and conflict resolution.
What is the purpose of the chapter summaries?
The chapter summaries provide concise overviews of the content and arguments presented in each section of the paper, allowing for a quick understanding of the key points and the overall structure of the analysis.
What is the intended audience for this paper?
The paper is intended for academic use, focusing on the analysis of themes related to political theory, conflict studies, and the Colombian conflict. The structured format and comprehensive approach make it suitable for researchers and scholars interested in these fields.
- Quote paper
- Daniela Forero Nuñez (Author), 2020, Carl Schmitt’s distinction between friend and enemy in the Colombian armed conflict, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1035665
