Complexity and simplicity: Landmines, peace and security in Central America

The basic argument put forward is that whilst the security debate within international relations has made important advances, especially in developing ontological and epistemological challenges, complexity in intellectual endeavour cannot hide the simple truth of insecurity felt by post-war communities living in the context of landmines. Since landmines have traditionally been regarded as a legitimate weapon in the search for national (military) security this very practical issue seems to have evaded the increasingly theoretical excursions of a discipline desperate to catch up and show its credibility in this area. Furthermore, actual studies of landmines have tended to concentrate on certain areas implying the problem less widespread than it actually is. Accordingly, this article adumbrates recent theoretical developments in security and stresses their importance. However, it also seeks to stress the importance of action in the real world; it does this in part by looking at the issues of landmines in the post-conflict situations of Nicaragua and El Salvador.