Authoritarian Rule in Latin America
May 23, 2013
Tanvi Gupta
PS 17 Essay Prompt
Professor Jordon Stanton
“Latin American politics since independence have been characterized by instability, authoritarianism, and violence. In a three page essay please discuss the role of the military in creating such problems using the chapter in the course reader entitled “The
Good Sailor.” Also, discuss whether or not the Argentinean case is typical or unique to
Latin America. Provide explanations and analysis from “The Good Sailor,” lecture, and the textbook. An “A” paper will use all three. Use size 12 Times New Roman font. The paper must be typed (or word-processed) on standard size paper (8 ½ by 11) and double spaced with appropriate margins. Use MLA format with parenthetical citations-i.e.
(Rosenberg, 84).”
"Violence in Latin America is a significant part because so much of it is political: planned, deliberate, and carried out by organized groups of society. It is used to make a point." The above quote supports that the violence and military is interrelated and it is used as tool by the military to instill fear and dominate people of the Latin America.
Ranked as the third most unstable region in the world in the post-war era, political instability has been a pervasive problem in Latin America. Whether it is a caudillo, a charismatic boss with an armed following, or a general leading a golpe de estado or an authoritarian institution, Latin America is conceived as an authoritarian region always ruled by either military or civilian leaders. Only three Latin American countries were consistently democratic over the thirty year period from 1935 to 1964: Costa Rica, Colombia, and Venezuela. During this time, there were 56 changes of government by military coups in 20 Latin American nations. In sum, political instability is a persistent and pernicious problem in the region.
The question arises how military insurrection remained instrument of ruling in Latin America. It might be because since the
Tanvi Gupta
PS 17 Essay Prompt
Professor Jordon Stanton
“Latin American politics since independence have been characterized by instability, authoritarianism, and violence. In a three page essay please discuss the role of the military in creating such problems using the chapter in the course reader entitled “The
Good Sailor.” Also, discuss whether or not the Argentinean case is typical or unique to
Latin America. Provide explanations and analysis from “The Good Sailor,” lecture, and the textbook. An “A” paper will use all three. Use size 12 Times New Roman font. The paper must be typed (or word-processed) on standard size paper (8 ½ by 11) and double spaced with appropriate margins. Use MLA format with parenthetical citations-i.e.
(Rosenberg, 84).”
"Violence in Latin America is a significant part because so much of it is political: planned, deliberate, and carried out by organized groups of society. It is used to make a point." The above quote supports that the violence and military is interrelated and it is used as tool by the military to instill fear and dominate people of the Latin America.
Ranked as the third most unstable region in the world in the post-war era, political instability has been a pervasive problem in Latin America. Whether it is a caudillo, a charismatic boss with an armed following, or a general leading a golpe de estado or an authoritarian institution, Latin America is conceived as an authoritarian region always ruled by either military or civilian leaders. Only three Latin American countries were consistently democratic over the thirty year period from 1935 to 1964: Costa Rica, Colombia, and Venezuela. During this time, there were 56 changes of government by military coups in 20 Latin American nations. In sum, political instability is a persistent and pernicious problem in the region.
The question arises how military insurrection remained instrument of ruling in Latin America. It might be because since the
Cited: 1. Modern Latin America, Seventh Edition, Thomas. E. Skidmore and Peter. H. Smith 2. Article “The Good Sailor” by Tina Rosenberg.