Child soldiers: a threat to democratic consolidation

This thesis examines the consequences of child participation in armed combat. It argues that democratization studies have neglected this variable of child soldiers when assessing the requirements necessary for democratic political development. This thesis demonstrates that child soldiers are a threat to the establishment of democratic polities in those countries where they are active. As a result, it recommends that greater attention be given to the phenomenon of child soldiers. This thesis argues that child soldiers are a critical force within a country's civil society. Consequently, it argues that specific measures must be taken to assist child soldiers re-integrate into civil society, for democratic political institutions do not function independently of social forces. As such, child soldiers are an influential force in determining the success and longevity of emerging democratic polities.