Mexico's Military on the Democratic Stage
Editorial Reviews
Review
“[F]ocuses on the evolution of Mexican civil-military relations in the context of Mexico's transition to competitive democracy. The author argues that the Mexican military is not a threat to democratic control, even though the presidency no longer controls the legislature and the armed forces have acquired an expanded role in fighting the drug cartels. Nevertheless, the Mexican military is vulnerable to corruption and remains a highly authoritarian institution. University-level education in the Navy and in the graduate-level Colegio de Defensa Nacional is described as superior to officer education in the Army's Escuela Superior de Guerra....Highly recommended. Graduate students, researchers, faculty, and practitioners.”–
“Camp's book is very important because, while we read a lot about the military leaders of South America who often take over the government, we hear little about the Mexican military, who are under civilian control....Because of our close ties with Mexico, this book is very important. Camp discusses Vicente Fox, but he does not mention Lopez Obrador,who polls suggest will be elected the next president of Mexico. Although a leftist, he denies that he will imitate Fidel Castro or Hugo Chavez, but we do not know if he will be elected, what policies he will follow, or how he will deal with the Zapatistas, for whom he is said to feel sympathy. My guess is that Mexico's ties with the US are so strong that he will avoid alienating it. However, that did not deter Castro or Chavez. How the Mexican army would respond to these eventualities is an enigma, but Camp's book provides a solid basis for reasonable projections.”–
Book Description
Based on information not available previously, this comprehensive study details the history, evolution, and changing relationship between the armed forces and civilian leadership in Mexico in the second half of the 20th century. Camp focuses on the past two decades during which democratic transformation produced important changes within the armed forces, in particular the navy. Despite institutional autonomy, a lack of reform, and an increase in civilian missions, the Mexican armed forces remain subordinate to civilian political authorities, and Camp finds little evidence to support the common notion that they are a significant threat to civilian supremacy in general or to the democratic process in particular.
Mexico's Military on the Democratic Stage
Mexico's Military on the Democratic Stage,Roderic Ai Camp,Praeger Security International General Interest-Cloth,0275988104,1988-,20th century,Civil-military relations,Government - International,History,History - General History,History - Military / War,Latin America - Mexico,Mexico,Military,Military - General,Military - Other,Politics and government,American history: from c 1900 -,History / Military / General,International relations,Warfare & Defence
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