Malleable Beliefs and Hope in Supporting Concessions under the Agreement with FARC-EP amidst a Polarized Context in Colombia

Abstract

Introduction: This study analyzed the role of malleable beliefs and hope in the willingness to support controversial concessions of the peace agreement with FARC-EP, in a context of political polarization. Method: Non-experimental study with 562 citizens. Results: The results confirm that hope for peace arises from a general perception of the world as changing, and, therefore, people who believe that the Colombian conflict with FARC-EP can change develop a hopeful attitude, presenting more support for concessions on the Special Justice for Peace (JEP), and the participation of ex-guerrillas in politics. Likewise, results showed that people with a left-leaning political orientation, and those that identified as centrist, are more supportive of the concessions of the agreement, compared to people with right-wing political leanings. Conclusions: The study reflects that political polarization constitutes an obstacle to the development of malleable beliefs and hopeful attitudes that favor the de-escalation of the conflict. The practical implications are presented on the formation of attitudes that favor con-structive solutions to the conflict, and on the responsibility of political actors in the formation of rigid beliefs that constitute barriers to peace.