Panamanian Militarism: A Historical Interpretation
Carlos Guevara Mann argues that Panamanian militarism, a consequence of the breakdown of legitimacy that occurred in the early nineteenth century, is more a manifestation of a deeply-rooted political tradition than an isolated phenomenon of the late twentieth century. He examines the variable US policy approach to domestic stability with the overall context of US hegemony in the isthmus and its shaping of Panamanian militarism.

Focusing on the causes that generated nineteenth-century predatory militarism, including political illegitimacy and US support, Guevara Mann analyzes the so-called professionalization of the armed forces — institutionalized militarism — and the polices developed by the 1968-89 military regime.

The author cautions that although Panamanian Defense Forces were abolished after the US invasion of December 1989, and although the state’s security apparatus has been placed under civilian direction, Panama’s stability remains threatened. Lack of legitimacy — the characteristic which informs military involvement in politics — still persists, and militarism could well reappear if the Panamanian polity fails to achieve legitimacy.
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Panamanian Militarism: A Historical Interpretation
Carlos Guevara Mann argues that Panamanian militarism, a consequence of the breakdown of legitimacy that occurred in the early nineteenth century, is more a manifestation of a deeply-rooted political tradition than an isolated phenomenon of the late twentieth century. He examines the variable US policy approach to domestic stability with the overall context of US hegemony in the isthmus and its shaping of Panamanian militarism.

Focusing on the causes that generated nineteenth-century predatory militarism, including political illegitimacy and US support, Guevara Mann analyzes the so-called professionalization of the armed forces — institutionalized militarism — and the polices developed by the 1968-89 military regime.

The author cautions that although Panamanian Defense Forces were abolished after the US invasion of December 1989, and although the state’s security apparatus has been placed under civilian direction, Panama’s stability remains threatened. Lack of legitimacy — the characteristic which informs military involvement in politics — still persists, and militarism could well reappear if the Panamanian polity fails to achieve legitimacy.
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Panamanian Militarism: A Historical Interpretation

Panamanian Militarism: A Historical Interpretation

by Carlos Guevara Mann
Panamanian Militarism: A Historical Interpretation

Panamanian Militarism: A Historical Interpretation

by Carlos Guevara Mann

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Overview

Carlos Guevara Mann argues that Panamanian militarism, a consequence of the breakdown of legitimacy that occurred in the early nineteenth century, is more a manifestation of a deeply-rooted political tradition than an isolated phenomenon of the late twentieth century. He examines the variable US policy approach to domestic stability with the overall context of US hegemony in the isthmus and its shaping of Panamanian militarism.

Focusing on the causes that generated nineteenth-century predatory militarism, including political illegitimacy and US support, Guevara Mann analyzes the so-called professionalization of the armed forces — institutionalized militarism — and the polices developed by the 1968-89 military regime.

The author cautions that although Panamanian Defense Forces were abolished after the US invasion of December 1989, and although the state’s security apparatus has been placed under civilian direction, Panama’s stability remains threatened. Lack of legitimacy — the characteristic which informs military involvement in politics — still persists, and militarism could well reappear if the Panamanian polity fails to achieve legitimacy.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780896801899
Publisher: Ohio University Press
Publication date: 05/01/1996
Series: Ohio RIS Latin America Series , #25
Edition description: 1
Pages: 232
Product dimensions: (w) x (h) x 0.50(d)

Table of Contents

List of Illustrationsix
Prefacexi
Introductionxv
Part IThe Determinants
1The Colonial Heritage, 1500-18213
2The Rise of the Colossus12
The Extension of Hegemony, 1846-190315
The Consolidation of Hegemony, 1903-193618
The Defense of Hegemony, 1936-present19
Part IIThe Antecedents
3Predatory Militarism under Colombian Sovereignty, 1821-190329
Separatism and Militarism, 1830, 183130
Federalism and Militarism, 1855-188532
The Thousand Days' War, 1899-190236
4The Civilian, Liberal Republic, 1903-195346
The Army of the Republic, 1903-190447
The National Police, 1904-193055
The First Coup and Its Aftermath, 1931-195358
Part IIIInstitutional Militarism
5The National Guard, 1953-196881
Legitimacy and the Guard82
Containment, Revolution, and US Aid84
Corporate Self-Image and the 1968 Breakdown91
6The 1968 Coup and the Rise of Omar Torrijos99
Omar Torrijos100
The October Coup106
"Deep Distress" Becomes "Play Ball"109
7Military Populism and US-Panamanian Relations, 1969-1981114
Workers, Peasants, and Students115
Local Marxists and the Urban Masses118
Domestic and Foreign Capital121
Nationalism and the Canal Issue123
State Involvement in the Economy125
National Guard Professionalization and Militarization127
The 1972 Constitution129
US Concerns for Panamanian Consent131
8Pan o Palo and the Results of Torrijos' Dictatorship143
Torrijos' Repressive Measures, 1969-1981143
The Legacy of Omar150
9The Noriega Dictatorship, 1981-1989158
National Security and Narco-Corruption159
Noriega the Asset165
The 1987-1989 "Crisis"169
The Noriega Legacy180
10Epilogue: The Public Force, 1990-present189
Conclusion199
Bibliography205
Index217
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