Los contextos explicativos como una aproximación crítico-analítica para la comprensión de la violencia a partir de la experiencia colombiana

Resumen

In this essay, I examine the explanatory contexts of violence proposed by Saúl Franco, analyzing their components and the findings of the original 1999 study focused on violence in Colombia. Through this critical review, I propose adjustments to update and strengthen this approach nearly 30 years after its formulation while remaining faithful to its original conceptualization that understands violence as a complex human phenomenon, characterized by a temporal, relational, and interhuman construction. Among my key contributions, I propose replacing the classification of "types of contexts" with a processes’ matrix shaped by actors, tensions, times, and places, as suggested by Franco. I also recommend revising the terms "structural conditions" and "conjunctural processes" to "structural dynamics" and "conjunctural conditions," which better reflect the dynamic and historical nature of violence. Additionally, I emphasize the importance of explicitly integrating the historical-territorial dimension, examining how social interactions and spatial configurations shape and sustain violence, disproportionately affecting communities based on their positions within power structures.  I conclude that explanatory contexts must move beyond understanding violence to actively contribute to its transformation through comprehensive and sustainable solutions. This updated approach reinforces its utility as a critical tool for analyzing violence and promoting collective well-being, reaffirming its relevance in the field of public health.