Are wars the engine of social change?  War and peace often affect differently the strength and radicality of social movements. Wars tend to foster situations in which historically disadvantaged social groups develop the organizational capacity necessary to strengthen their collective action.  On the other hand, when wars pose an external threat, elites have no choice but to tolerate the development of the organizational capacity of marginalized and excluded social groups.  The consolidation of these skills and, therefore, the increase in the threat of violent action by these groups, occupies a central place in current theories to explain both institutional change and political transitions, such as the emergence of revolutionary processes, democratic transitions in Europe, or less dramatic changes such as the development of modern tax systems or changes in the dominant elites in a country. 

This conference offers the analysis of these dynamics, from the role of ex-combatants in the diffusion of social conflicts and radical political and institutional changes, as well as the strategies followed to prevent the emergence of post-conflict social fractures.  Different historical experiences will be discussed, such as the French Revolution, political reforms in the United Kingdom, or the consequences of more recent conflicts in South Asia and other parts of the world.