The Military And Security In The Third World: Domestic And International Impacts

by Sheldon W. Simon

Overview

This book explores two of the most important dimensions of the military as an institution in Third World politics: its role in domestic power structures and internal development, and its impact on the formation and execution of the security aspects of foreign policy. These internal and external orientations are compared here across selected Third World countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The authors are area experts and specialists in comparative and international politics. Part 1 focuses on how the interaction of military and civilian elites creates a specific domestic political climate. The socioeconomic characteristics of these elites are compared and related to their policy preferences. An examination of military establishments in regimes ranging from communist (Cuba) through business-oriented (Indonesia) reveals whether military similarities persist among differing types of government. In Part 2 the contributors examine the role of military force in the Third World through a general empirical treatment of military behavior in developing countries; an assessment of the security policies–with emphasis on their military components–of several Middle Eastern and Asian states; and an evaluation of the U.S. experience in supporting anti-communist Third World security efforts.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780367309480
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	11/09/2020
Pages:	348
Product dimensions:	5.81(w) x 9.12(h) x (d)

About the Author

Sheldon W. Simon is professor and chairman, Department of Political Science, at Arizona State University. He is author of three books and numerous articles on Asian international politics and security affairs.

Table of Contents

Introduction — Military Elites and Domestic Politics in the Third World — A Political Perspective on Military Power in Developing Areas — African Military Regimes: Institutionalized Instability or Coercive Development? — Military Factions and Military Intervention in Latin America — Development Roles of the Military in Cuba: Modal Personality and Nation Building — Views of the Indonesian and Philippine Military Elites — Military Policy and Third World Security — New Nations and an Old Model: The Applicability of the Garrison State Theory to the Third World — The Evolution of the Military in Middle Eastern Societies — China's External Security Policy — China and Southeast Asia: Security in Transition — Indochina's Security Situation — The Military and Intercultural Communications: Impact on International Relations