Abstract The disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration of ex-combatants has become an integral part of peacebuilding. Although the main purpose of such interventions is to dissolve the military structures of armed groups, there is growing evidence that ex-combatant networks often remain intact. We investigate why such structures continue to thrive. We argue that ex-military networks are stronger when ex-commanders have weak links to elite patronage systems. Ex-combatants who are unable to rely on their former superiors for economic assistance must instead build denser ties to each other to gain access to a social safety net. To assess our argument, we conduct a comparative social network analysis (SNA) of two ex-military networks in Liberia. This innovative approach helps us uncover previously overlooked, but central, dynamics related to ex-combatant groups. We thereby show that SNA provides a range of underutilized tools and exact definitions that can increase our understanding of ex-military networks.

中文翻译：

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建立安全网：解释前军事网络的力量

摘要 前战斗人员解除武装、复员和重返社会已成为建设和平不可或缺的一部分。尽管此类干预的主要目的是解散武装团体的军事结构，但越来越多的证据表明，前战斗人员的网络往往完好无损。我们调查为什么这样的结构继续蓬勃发展。我们认为，当前指挥官与精英赞助系统的联系薄弱时，前军事网络会更强大。无法依赖前任上司获得经济援助的前战斗人员必须建立更紧密的联系，才能获得社会安全网。为了评估我们的论点，我们对利比里亚的两个前军事网络进行了比较社交网络分析 (SNA)。这种创新方法帮助我们发现以前被忽视但很重要的 与前战斗人员团体有关的动态。因此，我们表明 SNA 提供了一系列未充分利用的工具和准确的定义，可以增加我们对前军事网络的理解。