Responding to Child Soldiering: When the Presence of Child Soldiers Attracts Mediation from Democratic Regimes

Abstract

ABSTRACT Does child soldiering attract mediation from democracies? While research shows an association between human rights and foreign intervention by democracies, democratic responsiveness to children's human rights violations remains understudied. This study argues that democracies are concerned about the well-being of vulnerable populations, including children. We argue that democracies recognize the violations of children's rights in conflicts where rebels recruit child soldiers and are likely to respond by serving as mediators. Our study examines civil conflicts from 1989-2007. Findings show that while conflicts where rebel child soldiering exists are more likely to receive democratic mediation, government child soldiering has no effect.