Transforming Rebel Movements in Croatia and Macedonia: From Bullets to Ballots

The transition from war to democracy in countries such as South Africa, Sri Lanka, Mozambique, El Salvador and Cambodia have witnessed the transformation of former soldiers and rebel actions into political actors and parties. Exploring the electoral success of political parties formed by rebel groups, this book examines the role of the structural and symbolic legacies, and institutional patronage established during conflicts in this process. Comparing the paths taken by different ethnic groups in Croatia and Macedonia the author offers a comprehensive analysis of how the different rebel groups made the change from soldiers to politicians. Using empirical data from national and sub-national elections over the entire post-conflict period and gathered during extensive interviews with members of different ethnic groups, armed groups, political parties, civilians and journalists, the text explores the reconstruction of minority politics after ethnic conflicts and analyses the integration of former combatants into the political sphere.