Third World Militaries and Politics: An Introductory Essay

Abstract

Ball, N. Third World Militaries and Politics: An Introductory Essay. Cooperation and Conflict, XVII, 1982, 41-60.

The involvement of militaries in the political process in third world countries has increased during the last three decades. At the same time, developing countries have continued to be confronted with very serious social and economic problems, and the attainment of self-reliant development remains an elusive goal. To understand the role played by organized force in the development process, it is necessary to understand the distribution of economic and political power within a society and how the military as one group of societal élites, albeit a particularly powerful group, fits into this structure. The distinction between civilian and military regimes is increasingly difficult to make. Very few military officers can rule without civilian assistance and many civilian rulers require the backing of the military or allow the military to have influence over the policy-making process. This paper looks at four broad groups within society which benefit the most by some degree of military involvement in the economic and political life of a country: domestic civilian groups, the military as an institution, individuals within the military, and foreign powers. Some of the major reasons why each of these groups favors a political and economic role for the military and how their interests coincide will be outlined. The ability of the military to control social and economic change through its monopoly over the use of force is pointed out, and it is suggested that self-reliant development can never occur as long as militaries continue to be involved in the governing process.