The new era of violence in Colombia: A theoretical explanation of the rise of violence in the late twentieth century and the role of Colombian capitalism

The late twentieth century marks for Colombia the beginning of a new era of violence. The 1980's and 1990's were two decades of intense levels of violence that continued into the early twenty-first century. This paper attributes the rise of this new era of violence to the form of capitalist system that has developed in the country since the 1980's. It is an exclusive structure with serious institutional problems that pursues stringent neo-liberal economic reforms. These three traits serve to create, permit and sustain violence in the country. Therefore, to reduce violence in Colombia it is imperative to promote greater economic equality, strengthen state institutions and adjust the process of economic liberalization.