Military Power, Impunity and State-Society Change in Latin America

Abstract

The transition from military to civilian rule in Latin America has thrown a searchlight upon the legacy of military repression from the era of the national security states, and the problem of still-powerful and unrepentant armed forces. These intertwined problems have profound implications for the possibility of fundamental change in a region long characterized by extreme social inequality and political instability. As Rouquié notes, civilianization of the military state does not necessarily mean the democratization or demilitarization of power. How to deal with the perpetrators of state terror is a burning and controversial issue throughout the region. During the process of transition, the major demand of the military in virtually all states was for guarantees against accountability for human rights crimes—widely called impunity in the region—a demand that implicitly places the military above the law. This issue strikes at the very heart of the transformation of national security states and the democratization of power. Additionally, despite the transition from military rule, structures of the national security apparatus remain embedded within the civilian regimes. An examination of the question of impunity and those embedded structures exposes the tensions between democratization and persisting military prerogatives and power.

Judicial Activism in Perilous Times: The Turkish Case

“…In addition, the TSK has the ultimate say in the formulation of the ''national security doctrine'' (reported by the Turkish daily Hürriyet, 20 March 2006;http://hurarsiv.hurriyet.com.tr/goster/haber.aspx?id=4111061&tarih =2006-03-20). This periodically updated document identifies internal enemies to be eradicated (Cornell & Roberts 1990;McSherry 1992).…”

The Impact of the Instability and Impunity Problem Associated with Ethnic Diversity on Regional Security: The Case of Dagestan

“…In particular, the weakness of the judicial system of the regional autonomous government and the lack of prosecution can be defined as the main mechanism of impunity (Afflitto, 1998;Afflitto, 2000;McSherry, 1992). In this case, it may be an important element that ensures the continuation or repetition of violations by groups or individuals in an unstable and confrontational area.…”

Institutions, Military Policy, and Human Rights in Colombia

“…Not all students of civil-military relations share this institutional bias (see Silva, 1993;Midlarsky and Roberts, 1985;Stanley, 1996;Marini, 1980;McSherry, 1992). Blair Trujillo's (1993) analysis of the Colombian military is an excellent example of complementing institutional factors with societal ones.…”