NCJ Number
64026
Journal
INSTANT RESEARCH ON PEACE AND VIOLENCE Volume: 1 Dated: (1971) Pages: 3-21
Date Published
1971
Length
19 pages
Annotation
A THEORETICAL GAME MODEL IS PRESENTED OF LATIN AMERICAN POLITICAL KIDNAPPINGS. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT SUCH ACTS ARISE FROM POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC INEQUALITIES.
Abstract
THE INCREASE OF INTERNATIONAL CONFLICT BEHAVIOR INCLUDES NEW FORMS OF ACTIVITY--KIDNAPPING OF DIPLOMATS AND HIJACKING OF AIRCRAFT. THE AIM OF THIS SHORT ARTICLE IS TO OUTLINE AND ANALYZE SOME FEATURES OF THE GAME OF KIDNAPPING SUCH AS WHO KIDNAPS WHOM, WHEN, AND FOR WHAT PURPOSE. THE POINTS OF DEPARTURE FOR THIS STUDY ARE (1) THE PROPERTIES OF THE HOME COUNTRY OF THE KIDNAPPERS, (2) THE BARGAINING PROCESS AFTER THE PHYSICAL ACT OF KIDNAPPING, AND (3) THE OUTCOME OF THE PROCESS (WHO GETS HIS WILL REALIZED AND ON WHAT TERMS). A MODEL USING FOUR BASIC FACTORS IS OUTLINED BY WHICH A KIDNAPPING CAN BE ANALYZED. BY ANALYZING THEIR ACTORS' BEHAVIOR AND THEIR INTERRELATIONS ONE CAN ARRIVE AT SOME GENERALIZING CONCLUSIONS. THE FOUR ACTORS ARE THE DIPLOMAT'S COUNTRY, THE COUNTRY RECEIVING THE DIPLOMAT, THE DIPLOMAT SENT, AND THE KIDNAPPERS. CONSIDERATIONS BETWEEN THOSE ACTORS ARE BRIEFLY EXPLORED, INCLUDING THE TRADITIONAL METHODS OF INTERACTION BETWEEN COUNTRIES, AND THE AIM OF KIDNAPPERS IN USING A PAWN (THE DIPLOMAT) TO RESIST EXPLOITATION BY THEIR OWN GOVERNMENT. GENERAL PROPERTIES OF KIDNAPPINGS ARE EXAMINED INCLUDING PRELIMINARY COMMENTS; TIMING OF KIDNAPPINGS; DISTRIBUTION BY COUNTRY; INTERNAL SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC FACTORS SUCH AS COST OF LIVING AND LEVEL AND RATE OF DEVELOPMENT; EXTERNAL FACTORS SUCH AS TRADE AND MILITARY DEPENDENCE ON THE UNITED STATES; OPERATIONAL POSSIBILITIES FOR THE GUERRILLAS, SUCH AS PERCENTAGE OF COMMUNIST PARTY MEMBERS IN THE ADULT POPULATION, AND DEGREES OF URBANIZATION; NEIGHBORHOOD OR DIFFUSION EFFECT BETWEEN COUNTRIES; AND INFLUENCE OF RANK AND SIZE OF COUNTRIES. STRATEGIE ASPECTS OF KIDNAPPING ARE DISCUSSED INCLUDING BARGAINING, CONCESSION-MAKING BY GOVERNMENTS AND KIDNAPPERS AND TYPES OF DEMANDS MADE (RANSOM, RELEASE OF POLITICAL PRISONERS, PUBLICATION OF POLITICAL MANIFESTOS). IT IS CONCLUDED THAT KIDNAPPINGS IN LATIN AMERICA ARE ANCHORED IN THE MILITARIZATION OF SOCIETY AND INEQUALITY OF DISTRIBUTION OF RESOURCES. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR WAYS TO ELIMINATE KIDNAPPINGS ARE OFFERED. TABLES, FOOTNOTES, AND A DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF KIDNAPPINGS (1968 THROUGH FEBRUARY 1971) ARE INCLUDED. (RFC)