Abstract

Armed conflicts do not only affect politically and economically the development of society, but also have a negative impact on the daily lives of civilians which are not directly involved in the dispute. This essay tries to discuss what does the degree of involvement means, with a special focus on the Colombian case. And will do so by arguing around the possible double direction of that involvement: on the one hand, it is possible to see civil population as direct or indirect participant, voluntary or forced, of the process of armed conflict; and on the other hand, it is possible to appreciate them as victims of those processes whereas they become targets of the political and military strategic action of armed conflicts. _Published online_: 11 December 2017.