Cambridge University Press Soldiers, Politicians, and Civilians: Reforming Civil-Military Relations in Democratic Latin America

Are interactions between soldiers, politicians, and civilians improving? Every nation has to come to grips with achieving a more enduring harmony between government, the armed forces, and society if it aspires to strengthen its democracy. While there is an abundance of studies on civil-military affairs, few examine all three of these actors, let alone establish any standards with which to assess whether progress is being made. This ambitious book devises a novel framework equipped with six dimensions, each of which opens a unique window into civil-military affairs, and which form a more integrated view of the subject. Those dimensions are accompanied by a set of benchmarks and metrics that assess progress and compare one country against another. The framework is applied to case studies of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay, with the conviction that insights could be gleaned that may be relevant elsewhere. Ultimately, by unpacking the civil-military relation into its various dimensions, this study has shed light on what it takes to transform what was once a politically-minded military into an organization dedicated to serving a democratic state and society. Review 'Pion-Berlin and Martínez have set a very high standard for all students of democratization and civil-military relations, not only in Latin America but also in other countries that are engaged in the transition from an authoritarian regime under military control to democracy.' Thomas C. Bruneau, Democratization'… David Pion-Berlin and Rafael Martínez have produced an excellent book that brings our understanding of civil-military relations in Latin America to a new level.' Thomas C. Bruneau, Latin American Research Review Book Description This book argues that for a nation to become fully democratic, it must strengthen the interactions between its soldiers, politicians, and civilians. About the Author David Pion-Berlin is a Professor of Political Science at the University of California, Riverside. He is widely known for his writings on civil-military relations, security, and human rights in Latin America. He is the author or editor of nine books, including Military Missions in Democratic Latin America (2016), Organización de la defensa y control civil de las Fuerzas Armadas en América Latina (with José Manuel Ugarte, 2013), and Through Corridors of Power: Institutions and Civil-Military Relations in Argentina (1997). His articles have appeared in Comparative Politics, Comparative Political Studies, Armed Forces and Society, and The Latin American Research Review. He has been a Fulbright Scholar and the recipient of numerous other grants and fellowships.Rafael Martínez is a Professor of Political Science at Universitat de Barcelona. He has been Research Fellow at L'Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, Fondation nationale des sciences politiques (FNSP), Paris, and the University of California, Riverside. He has received the National Research Prize given by the Spanish Ministry of Defense (2002), and his publications include Los mandos de las Fuerzas armadas españolas del siglo XXI (2007), which was awarded the Best Book Award 2008 by the Spanish Association of Political Science, and Debating Civil-Military Relations in Latin America (co-edited with David Mares, 2013).