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The Armed Forces in Latin America: Potential for Changes in Political and Social Functions
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 02 January 2018
Extract
At the beginning of this study of military dictatorship and the political role of the intellectuals in Latin America, Florestan Fernandes (1970: 1) makes the following statement: “The idea that Latin America is a region in which the coups d'état are a political routine has become a commonplace.” Without doubt, such an opinion is justified and also explains—at least to a certain extent—the wealth of “routine” verdicts on the function of the military in Latin America. A contradiction, however, seems evident at this point: while the number of publications on the political and social position of the armed forces is rapidly increasing (McAlister, 1966; Rouquié, 1969), there is an evident lack of comprehensive analyses that go beyond detailed description, and which explain in a reliable and sound manner the phenomenon of the cyclically increasing militarization of politics. It cannot be overlooked that research on the role of the military in Latin America is in a really critical situation which calls for a reexamination of the facts according to new criteria.
- Type
- Research Article
- Information
- Journal of Interamerican Studies and World Affairs , Volume 14 , Issue 4: Special Issue: Military and Reform Governments in Latin America , November 1972 , pp. 375 - 398
- Copyright
- Copyright © University of Miami 1972
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