Bullets to Ballots: Collective De-Radicalisation of Armed Movements

Investigates how and why armed organisations transform into unarmed activist movements

Analyses 20 case studies of transformation from 16 countries: Egypt, Iraq, Algeria, Libya, Syria, Spain, the UK, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Uruguay, El Salvador and Nicaragua

Offers a rare cross-regional, qualitative comparative approach utilising personal interviews with the representatives of organisations inspired by religious-based, leftist, ethno-nationalist and nationalist ideologies

Includes first-hand de-radicalisation leader testimonies

Contributes to our understanding of democratic transition, ending civil wars, peacebuilding, countering violent extremism, counterinsurgency and counterterrorism

De-radicalisation is a global phenomenon where armed organisations transform into political parties or non-violent social movements. Bullets to Ballots explores the different trajectories that this process can take whether it occurs after a military victory, a military defeat, or a draw in an armed conflict between insurgent groups and incumbent authorities.

A result of a unique collaboration between leading scholars, high-level governmental practitioners and non-state organisational leaders, this volume offers a rich comparative analysis of de-radicalisation processes from around the world. It answers the questions of when, why and how collective de-radicalisation happens, and it deepens our understanding of this as a means of preventing violent extremism.