275 Miguel García Guindo Insurgencies: competition for resources as an explanatory variable casions, the disputes initially arising due to social, political or cultural aspects have been completed –and to some extent exceeded- by reasons of a pure financial origin. In this respect, the most representative cases are the guerrillas that came to the ore in Colombia and Angola. Ascertaining these motivations, and the where or when of these, are transferred to a conflict scenario that, in any event, requires a preliminary form of categorisation that is more careful and a subsequent empirical validation. Additionally, even though the current conflict and criminality overlap on many occasions, it cannot be asserted that they pertain to the same category. While criminal organisations systematically use violence as the only way of obtaining a fast and bountiful financial gain, there is agreement amongst the leading experts on the extent to which the rebels groups subject their participation in economic activities to achieving the political goals that they put forward as the justification for their existence. It is true that if we establish a classification of the insurgencies, we find a category that that is not so much in line with the classical arguments. This is because their raison d’être can be explained by the intention that they declare to undermine the foundations of the state authority, so as to lead the country into a Failed State situation (wholly or partially). This comes well before –as is obvious- taking direct control of the government or creating a new State10. However, most of the definitions provided –through which an attempt is made to set limits to the concept of insurgency with other associated parties, that they have certain similarities to- agree in highlighting the political goal as the differentiating element. This is the case of Daniel Byman who11, based upon the definition drawn up by the American Central Intelligence Agency in the 1980’s12, insists on stressing a series of relevant aspects about the nature of the insurgencies. In particular, and insofar as purely criminal groups are concerned, he points to the fact that their goals are not linked to territorial control or to others that are specifically political. In this respect, insurgencies may maintain close links with the networks responsible for drug trafficking, or with illegal organisations of another type. However, the organisation’s overriding goal is not to devote itself to that type of criminal activity, but rather, conversely, this is used as a one further means of attaining another goal, of a political or ideological nature. To give another example, Zeeuw defines insurgency as a non-state organisation, 10 In this respect, consult Jordán, Javier. Delimitación teórica de la insurgencia: concepto, fines y medios Setting theoretical limits to insurgency: concepts, purposes and resources, in Jordán, J., Pozo, P. y Baqués, J. (eds.), Actores no estatales y seguridad internacional Non-state actors and international security, Madrid, Plaza y Valdés, 2011. P. 122 11 Byman, Daniel. Trends in Outside Support for Insurgent Movements, Santa Monica, RAND Corporation, 2001. Pp. 4-6. Available at http://www.rand.org/pubs/monograph_reports/2007/ MR1405.pdf. With access in August 2012 12 Available at: http://www.fas.org/irp/cia/product/insurgency.pdf. Last access: October 2012
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