As internal conflicts recede for much of Asia, peace agreements herald new pathways for former rebel groups back into the democratic fold. Agreements providing for self-rule or autonomy provide opportunities for rebel groups to try their hand in electoral politics by transforming into political parties, independently running for office, or manning the bureaucracy. These transitions from armed to unarmed through a process of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) are fraught with challenges, and do not always guarantee democratic outcomes.
This panel invites paper that looks at cases of negotiated conflict termination in Asian countries. Papers that describe the dynamics and drivers of negotiated agreements, and their implications to democratic prospects are welcome. It also welcomes submissions examining shifts from rebel group to political parties, DDR, and local governance structures post-agreement.
