Rethinking Military Politics

by Alfred Stepan

The last four years have seen a remarkable resurgence of democracy in the Southern Cone of the Americas. Military regimes have been replaced in Argentina (1983), Uruguay (1985), and Brazil (1985). Despite great interest in these new democracies, the role of the military in the process of transition has been under-theorized and under-researched. Alfred Stepan, one of the best-known analysts of the military in politics, examines some of the reasons for this neglect and takes a new look at themes raised in his earlier work on the state, the breakdown of democracy, and the military. The reader of this book will gain a fresh understanding of new democracies and democratic movements throughout the world and their attempts to understand and control the military. An earlier version of this book has been a controversial best seller in Brazil.


To examine the Brazilian case, the author uses a variety of new archival material and interviews, with comparative data from Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, and Spain. Brazilian military leaders had consolidated their hold on governmental power by strengthening the military-crafted intelligence services, but they eventually found these same intelligence systems to be a formidable threat. Professor Stepan explains how redemocratization occurred as the military reached into the civil sector for allies in its struggle against the growing influence of the intelligence community. He also explores dissension within the military and the continuing conflicts between the military and the civilian government.

Paperback

First published March 1, 1988

Reviews

[Karina Rodrigues · Rating 5 out of 5]

The distinction the author makes between political society, civil society and the state is remarkable. Most of recent political science studies focus only in the elected rulers, forgetting the enhancement of democratic participation and the empowerment of the organized civil society.
His definition of civilian control over the military is based on two main elements: military prerogatives and military constestation. Since the book was published in 1988, many of those prerogatives have changed. We can notice other types of military prerogatives, like the military being responsible for operations traditionally attributed to the police, and also many peacekeeping operations.

[João Martins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful to understand the Brazilian dictatorship.