The military for decades have played an oversized role on the Central American political stage. Yet, the ending of the Cold War and the resolution of longstanding guerrilla wars have not ended the role of the armies, as they find themselves in a new role of controlling violence linked to narcotrafficking and gangs. In this brilliantly argued and richly detailed volume, we have for the first time an expansive, region- wide reanalysis of the role of the military in this chronically volatile region. Policy- makers, students, and citizens alike need to put this volume at the top of their must- read lists.
Mitchell A. Seligson, Vanderbilt University, USA
Prezs book is a cogent and timely contribution to our understanding of the militarys prominent role in Central America. His mixed- methods approach provides added depth that will be a model for other scholars to follow.
Gregory Weeks, UNC Charlotte, USA
Orlando Prez breaks new ground in the study of Latin Amer ican militaries in democracy on two major fronts: he has produced a richly detailed comparative analysis of the regions key Central Amer ican cases, and he has based that analysis in solid, accessibly presented empirical evidence of beliefs held by both publics and military offcers. In addition to case chapters on El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua that capture nuanced differences within the region, Prez unpacks important paradoxes that follow from new patterns of violence and crime in the region. So, for instance, he shows that support for democracy correlates with trust in the military, though military worldviews seem to have changed little since the authoritarian period and civil wars that preceded democratization. A must read for anyone interested in understanding the ingredients of democratic governance, security sector reform, and state- society relations in Central America.
Kristina Mani, Oberlin College, USA
CivilMilitary Relations in Post-Conflict Societies
Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Honduras are four Spanish-speaking countries in Central America that possess uniformed military institutions. These four countries represent different approaches to reforms of civilmilitary relations, and embody varying degrees of success in both institutional democratization and the managing of security forces.
In this book, Orlando J. Prez expertly examines the competing theories of civilmilitary relations in Central America to advance our understanding of the origins, consequences, and persistence of militarism in Latin America.
Prez begins by proposing a theoretical framework for analyzing civilmilitary relations, including an analysis of how U.S. foreign and military policy affects the establishment of stable civilian supremacy over the armed forces. He then examines the institutional and legal structures under which civilmilitary relations are carried out, revealing the reorientation of the missions and roles performed by the armed forces in each country. Prez concludes by analyzing the role beliefs of members of the military and public opinion about the armed forces in relation to other institutions. Combining both qualitative and quantitative data, this book bridges the gap between structural and cultural analyses for a more comprehensive understanding of the links between micro and macro level factors that influence civilmilitary relations and democratic governance.
Orlando J. Prez is Associate Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Millersville University. He is a member of the Scientific Support Group for the Latin American Public Opinion Project (LAPOP) and directs the AmericasBarometer survey in Panama and Honduras.
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CivilMilitary Relations in Post-Conflict Societies
Transforming the Role of the Military in Central America
Orlando J. Prez
CivilMilitary Relations in Post-Conflict Societies
Transforming the Role of the Military in Central America
Orlando J. Prez
First published 2015
by Routledge
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and by Routledge
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Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
2015 Taylor & Francis
The right of Orlando J. Prez to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
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Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Prez, Orlando J.
Civilmilitary relations in post-conflict societies : transforming the role of the military in Central America / Orlando J. Prez.
pages cm. (Routledge studies in Latin American politics ; 12)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
1. Civil-military relationsCentral America. 2. Central AmericaPolitics
and government21st century. 3. Central AmericaArmed Forces. I. Title.
JL1406.C58P47 2015
322'.509728dc23
2014043139
ISBN: 978-0-415-74168-2 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-1-315-81518-3 (ebk)
Typeset in Times New Roman
by Wearset Ltd, Boldon, Tyne and Wear
To my family,
Leyda, Rogelio, and Alexandra
and
to my friend and mentor,
Richard L. Millett
Contents
In the course of researching and writing this book I have accumulated many debts which are difficult to repay but essential to acknowledge. First and foremost I must thank my family, for without their constant love, support, and encouragement I could never have completed the manuscript. My wife Leyda is patient, loving, and supportive. I owe her more than I could ever hope to repay. My children Rogelio and Alexandra have shown great patience as I travel to do research or attend meetings. I appreciate so much their willingness to put up with my often crazy schedule.