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Dangerous Alliances: Populists and the Military
Gefährliche Allianzen: Populistische Regime und das Militär
[working paper]
Corporate Editor
GIGA German Institute of Global and Area Studies - Leibniz-Institut für Globale und Regionale Studien, Institut für Lateinamerika-Studien
Abstract Across Latin America, alliances between politicians and officers are again enabling the military to influence politics and policies. In Brazil, President Jair Bolsonaro has given a significant share of cabinet seats to current or former officers. While some have argued that soldiers may offer the in... view more
Across Latin America, alliances between politicians and officers are again enabling the military to influence politics and policies. In Brazil, President Jair Bolsonaro has given a significant share of cabinet seats to current or former officers. While some have argued that soldiers may offer the incorruptible expertise needed for solving the region's pressing problems, Latin America's painful history suggests otherwise.
The military is once again stepping into the political arena. Soldiers have been granted greater operational autonomy, are being deployed internally, shielded from civil persecution, and again holding important cabinet and ministerial posts.
Although straight-out military regimes are unlikely to occur in the region any time soon, Latin America's history offers a strong warning against the military's expanding political role. Where soldiers gained political influence in the past, democratic institutions, civil liberties, and human rights came under pressure.
With the region's structural problems of violence, corruption, and inequality unresolved, the demand for drastic solutions have intensified. Citizens and politicians alike see in officers the apolitical, incorruptible, and effective policymakers capable of solving the region's most pressing problems.
The armed forces for their part have often gladly taken up the offer to enter the political arena. In search of purpose and orientation, assuming political roles promise the militaries new tasks, more resources, and the opportunity to restore lost prestige.
The case of Brazil shows how swiftly soldiers can regain influence over political decisions in democracies. An increasing political role for the military seems likely across the region; with it, all the detrimental consequences for political opposition and civil society groups will ensue. Only if the political considerations of both government leaders and military decision makers change will it be possible to halt the militarisation of Latin American politics.... view less
Keywords
Latin America; militarization; government; party; populism; conflict; civil-military cooperation; domestic policy; political system; crisis; democracy; military; political influence
Classification
Peace and Conflict Research, International Conflicts, Security Policy
Organizational Sociology
Document language
English
Publication Year
2020
City
Hamburg
Page/Pages
12 p.
Series
GIGA Focus Lateinamerika, 1
ISSN
1862-3573
Status
Published Version; reviewed