Eroding Military Influence in Brazil: Politicians Against Soldiers

by Wendy Hunter

Book Overview

Wendy Hunter explores civil-military relations in Brazil following the transition to civilian leadership in 1985. She documents a marked, and surprising, decline in the political power of the armed forces, even as they have remained involved in national policy making. To account for the success of civilian politicians, Hunter invokes rational-choice theory in arguing that politicians will contest even powerful forces in order to gain widespread electoral...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0807846201
• ISBN13: 9780807846209
• Release Date: March 1997
• Publisher: University of North Carolina Press
• Length: 260 Pages
• Weight: 1.03 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.2" x 9.3"
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Great text book material.

Wendy Hunter's theory about civilian political incentives are very intersting. I was able to get a clear understanding of the book by reading her examples. I found chapter six very intresting because it relates to the Amozon and the efforts by external democratic forces to preseve the ecological settings. marylou@ameritech.net

Great text book material.

Wendy Hunter's theory about civilian political incentives are very interesting. I was able to get a clear understanding of the book by reading her examples. I found chapter six very interesting because it relates to the Amozon and the efforts by external democratic forces to preseve the ecological settings. marylou@ameritech.net

a study of the political dynamic vs. the military

Ms. Hunter has written a book that goes against the accepted tenets of transitional democracies. She shows how the political dynamic of office and the money and power of elected office can reverse the influence of the military ,and go a long way towards consolidating a democracy.

Excellent thesis.

This book is very good if you want to learn more about civil-military relations and how it affects democratization. Ms. Hunter's theory is that democracy and the electoral competition it brings will cause the military regime to lose power. Others disagree with this view but to be perfectly honest, it is hard to understand that view because Ms. Hunter proves her theory extremely well.

New perspective on an old problem

Hunter uses the rational choice and competitive dynamic theory to explain civilian democratic gains over the military in the late 20th century. She is able to prove that in many ways, democratic political incentives have reduced the influence of the military in Brazil. From a student's perspective, the last chapter (conclusion) provides a framework to the preceeding chapters. START THERE FIRST!!