🌮Latin American Politics Unit 10 – The Military in Politics

Historical Context

• Latin America has a long history of military involvement in politics dating back to the post-colonial period
• Many countries experienced a cycle of military coups, dictatorships, and brief periods of civilian rule throughout the 20th century
• The Cold War era saw an increase in military interventions, often supported by the United States to counter perceived communist threats
  • Examples include the 1954 Guatemalan coup and the 1973 Chilean coup
• Economic instability, social inequality, and weak democratic institutions contributed to the military's justification for seizing power
• The military often portrayed itself as the guardian of national interests and stability
• The legacy of military rule has had lasting effects on the political, social, and economic development of Latin American countries
• The transition to civilian rule in the 1980s and 1990s marked a significant shift in the region's political landscape

Role of the Military in Latin American Governance

• The military has played a central role in the governance of many Latin American countries
• Military leaders have often served as heads of state, either through coups or by being appointed by civilian governments
• The military has been involved in policymaking, particularly in areas related to national security and economic development
• In some cases, the military has acted as a parallel government, with its own institutions and decision-making processes
  • For example, in Brazil during the military dictatorship (1964-1985), the military had a significant influence on economic policy and infrastructure projects
• The military has also been responsible for maintaining internal order and suppressing opposition, often through the use of violence and human rights abuses
• The military's involvement in governance has often led to the erosion of democratic institutions and the rule of law
• The military's role in governance has varied across countries and time periods, with some militaries being more interventionist than others

Key Military Interventions and Coups

• The 1954 Guatemalan coup, backed by the United States, overthrew the democratically-elected government of Jacobo Árbenz
• The 1964 Brazilian coup marked the beginning of a 21-year military dictatorship
• The 1973 Chilean coup, supported by the United States, overthrew the socialist government of Salvador Allende and installed the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet
  • Pinochet's regime was characterized by widespread human rights abuses and economic neoliberalism
• The 1976 Argentine coup led to the "Dirty War," a period of state terrorism and human rights violations under military rule
• The 1980 Bolivian coup, led by General Luis García Meza, was known for its involvement in drug trafficking and human rights abuses
• The 1992 Venezuelan coup attempts, led by Hugo Chávez, failed to overthrow the government but brought Chávez to national prominence
• These military interventions and coups had significant impacts on the political, social, and economic trajectories of the affected countries

Causes of Military Involvement in Politics

• Weak civilian institutions and a lack of democratic consolidation have created opportunities for military intervention
• Economic crises, high inflation, and social inequality have fueled discontent and instability, which the military has used to justify its involvement in politics
• The Cold War and the perceived threat of communism led to U.S. support for military interventions in Latin America
  • The U.S. provided military aid, training, and political backing to anti-communist military regimes
• The military's self-perception as the guardian of national interests and stability has motivated its involvement in politics
• Personal ambitions of military leaders and a desire for power have also driven military interventions
• Corruption and the influence of economic elites have sometimes led to military involvement in politics to protect their interests
• Ideological factors, such as nationalism and conservatism, have also played a role in military interventions

Impact on Democracy and Civil Society

• Military rule has often led to the suppression of civil liberties, political opposition, and freedom of expression
• Human rights abuses, including torture, disappearances, and extrajudicial killings, have been common under military regimes
  • The "Dirty War" in Argentina and the Pinochet dictatorship in Chile are notable examples
• Military governments have often banned political parties, trade unions, and other civil society organizations
• The concentration of power in the hands of the military has weakened democratic institutions and the rule of law
• Economic policies implemented by military governments, such as neoliberalism and privatization, have often exacerbated social inequality and poverty
• The legacy of military rule has made it difficult for some countries to fully consolidate democracy and build strong civil societies
• The fear of military intervention has sometimes led civilian governments to make concessions to the military, limiting their ability to enact reforms and assert civilian control over the armed forces

Case Studies: Successful vs. Failed Military Rules

• The Brazilian military dictatorship (1964-1985) is often cited as a case of successful military rule in terms of economic growth and modernization
  • However, this success came at the cost of human rights abuses, political repression, and increased inequality
• The Chilean military dictatorship under Pinochet (1973-1990) implemented neoliberal economic policies that led to economic growth but also deepened social inequality and poverty
  • The regime's human rights abuses and political repression have left a lasting impact on Chilean society
• The Argentine military dictatorship (1976-1983) is considered a failed case of military rule due to its economic mismanagement, human rights abuses, and the country's defeat in the Falklands/Malvinas War
• The Peruvian military government of Juan Velasco Alvarado (1968-1975) implemented progressive social and economic reforms but failed to create a stable political system
• The Guatemalan military governments (1954-1986) were characterized by widespread human rights abuses, political repression, and a long-running civil war
• These case studies demonstrate that the success or failure of military rule depends on a complex set of factors, including economic performance, human rights records, and the ability to transition to civilian rule

Transition to Civilian Rule

• The 1980s and 1990s saw a wave of democratization in Latin America, with many countries transitioning from military to civilian rule
• The transition process often involved negotiations between the military and civilian opposition groups
  • For example, in Chile, the 1988 plebiscite and subsequent negotiations led to the end of the Pinochet dictatorship and a return to civilian rule
• Truth commissions and trials have been used in some countries to address human rights abuses committed during military rule
  • The National Commission on the Disappearance of Persons (CONADEP) in Argentina and the National Commission for Truth and Reconciliation in Chile are notable examples
• Economic crises and social pressures have sometimes played a role in forcing military governments to relinquish power
• International pressure and the end of the Cold War also contributed to the decline of military rule in Latin America
• The transition to civilian rule has not always been smooth, with some countries experiencing political instability, economic challenges, and the continued influence of the military in politics

Contemporary Civil-Military Relations

• Despite the transition to civilian rule, the military continues to play a significant role in the politics of many Latin American countries
• Some countries have implemented reforms to strengthen civilian control over the military and reduce its political influence
  • Examples include the creation of civilian-led ministries of defense and the subordination of the military to civilian authorities
• However, the military still retains significant autonomy and influence in some countries, particularly in areas related to internal security and counternarcotics operations
• The military has sometimes been used by civilian governments to suppress political opposition and maintain order, blurring the lines between civilian and military roles
• The legacy of military rule and human rights abuses has strained civil-military relations in some countries
  • Efforts to prosecute former military leaders for human rights violations have been met with resistance from the military and its supporters
• Economic and social challenges, such as inequality and crime, have sometimes led to calls for increased military involvement in domestic affairs
• Balancing the need for a strong and professional military with the principles of civilian control and democratic governance remains an ongoing challenge in contemporary Latin American politics