From the individual to the network: perception of a Colombian Organized Armed Group (GAO) from the networks theory

Abstract

The objective is to go to the economic theory and the networks to understand the dynamics of a Colombian Armed Organized Group, through the perception of experts. Sixteen interviews were conducted, in two rounds, to different officials, academics, prosecutors and others. The methodology included an analysis of the content of the interviews to identify the incentives and disincentives of the individuals and the relationships between the categories. The information gave rise to a descriptive diagram, going from the individual (young recruited) to the network. In the discussion it was found that, from the perception of experts, the recruited individuals can be understood as rational entities that maximize their benefits and minimize their risks, and that the union between them gives rise to a network, which can be understood from the theory of networks by the way in which the crime is outsourced. In conclusion, some approaches to the problem are proposed and a call is made for future research.