The Transition to Democracy in Latin America: The Role of the Military Contributor(s): Farcau, Bruce W. (Author) |
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ISBN: 0275956369 ISBN-13: 9780275956363 Publisher: Praeger OUR PRICE: $94.05 Product Type: Hardcover - Other Formats Published: September 1996 |
Additional Information |
BISAC Categories: - History | Military - General - Political Science |
Dewey: 322.509 |
LCCN: 96095538 |
Physical Information: 0.5" H x 6.14" W x 9.21" (1.00 lbs) 200 pages |
Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
Publisher Description: This book examines the role of the military in the wave of democratization that has swept through Latin America in the past decade. Although much of the leading literature on the transition to democracy recognizes the importance of hardline and softline factions within the military in this process, the author takes this study one step further to investigate the motivations of the military officers themselves. Using the cases of Brazil and Bolivia, and relying on dozens of interviews with military officers, politicians, jurists, and other observers throughout Latin America, he determines that the factions' attitudes do not depend primarily on ideological commitment but on the leaders' calculation, as to the career benefits to their followers of either supporting or opposing democratization. In terms of policy making, it is important to recognize this distinction in order to help preserve the fragile democracies which are already under threat from the military once again. |