Does citizen participation promote peace agreement implementation? Evidence from Colombia

Numerous large-n studies suggest that inclusion promotes peace agreement implementation. This study takes a different approach. Based on a combination of survey and complementary qualitative data, it examines the actual actions and interactions involved in implementing peace agreements on the ground. In doing so, it adopts a micro-political perspective which conceptualises peace agreement implementation as an interactive, dynamic and inherently political process. Drawing on empirical evidence from Colombia, this article demonstrates the importance of the practical implementation of inclusive peacebuilding and its perceived effectiveness as it shows that citizen participation does not always enhance peace agreement implementation. Reasons for this include the deception of citizens’ participatory expectations through implementation shortcomings, participatory preferences and the misinterpretation of citizens’ preferences on behalf of state representatives, for example. The article concludes that citizen participation does not inevitably stimulate peacebuilding successes and advocates instead for increased attention to the (unintended) consequences of inclusion discourses. This has significant implications for inclusive peacebuilding research and practice.