ISBN:
9781137592705
Language:
English
Pages:
Online-Ressource (XIII, 218 p. 2 illus, online resource)
Series Statement:
Politics, Economics, and Inclusive Development
Series Statement:
SpringerLink
Series Statement:
Bücher
Series Statement:
Springer eBook Collection
Series Statement:
Political Science and International Studies
Parallel Title:
Druckausg.
Parallel Title:
Printed edition
Keywords:
Political science
;
Political Science and International Relations
;
Comparative politics
;
Public policy
;
Latin America Politics and government
;
Politics and war
;
Public administration
;
Development economics
Abstract:
This book demonstrates through country case studies that, contrary to received wisdom, Latin American militaries can contribute productively, but under select conditions, to non-traditional missions of internal security, disaster relief, and social programs. Latin American soldiers are rarely at war, but have been called upon to perform these missions in both lethal and non-lethal ways. Is this beneficial to their societies or should the armed forces be left in the barracks? As inherently conservative institutions, they are at their best, the author demonstrates, when tasked with missions that draw on pre-existing organizational strengths that can be utilized in appropriate and humane ways. They are at a disadvantage when forced to reinvent themselves. Ultimately, it is governments that must choose whether or not to deploy soldiers, and they should do so, this book argues, based on a pragmatic assessment of the severity and urgency of the problem, the capacity of the military to effectively respond, and the availability of alternative solutions
Abstract:
This book demonstrates through country case studies that, contrary to received wisdom, Latin American militaries can contribute productively, but under select conditions, to non-traditional missions of internal security, disaster relief, and social programs. Latin American soldiers are rarely at war, but have been called upon to perform these missions in both lethal and non-lethal ways. Is this beneficial to their societies or should the armed forces be left in the barracks? As inherently conservative institutions, they are at their best, the author demonstrates, when tasked with missions that draw on pre-existing organizational strengths that can be utilized in appropriate and humane ways. They are at a disadvantage when forced to reinvent themselves. Ultimately, it is governments that must choose whether or not to deploy soldiers, and they should do so, based on a pragmatic assessment of the severity and urgency of the problem, the capacity of the military to effectively respond, and the availability of alternative solutions. David Pion-Berlinis a Professor of Political Science at the University of California, Riverside, USA.
DOI:
10.1057/978-1-137-59270-5
URL:
Volltext
(lizenzpflichtig)
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