Decades of Peace

At the heart of this project is a critical question: How do societies move from persistent violence to sustainable peace? Despite a global decline in violence over centuries, certain regions, particularly in Latin America, remain plagued by high levels of violence that are deeply entrenched in local social structures. This project offers a novel theory, suggesting that the process of alignment between state and societal institutions is a key mechanism to overcome persistent violence.

Combining historical analysis, statistical data, and qualitative interviews, the research team examines how institutional change influences trajectories of violence over decades, with a focus on Colombia and other countries where violence remains common. By analyzing local cases of violence reduction and embracing a long-term perspective, the project seeks to provide a better understanding of how societies afflicted by violence can move to sustainable peace.