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The Changing Role of the Military
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13586 |
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Section : |
CURRENT ISSUES
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| Issue
Date : |
4 / 1988 |
2,389 Words |
| Author
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Gordon Sumner, Jr.
Lt. Gen. Gordon Sumner, Jr. (U.S. Army-Ret.) is former
chairman of the Inter-American Defense Board and has been an
ambassador at large for Latin America since 1981. |
Few subjects generate more emotion and controversy than the military dimension of South American life. As is true of most general attitudes toward South America developed by "gringos," a body of myths and half-truths based on ideological biases and shabby research has developed over the years.
The difficulty separating myth from reality is compounded by the diversity of the countries of South America. Taken as a whole, this continent forms an interesting and sometimes confusing complexion. Extremes range from the highly organized and hierarchical Chilean model to the loose and almost paramilitary formations of Suriname.
Despite this variety, certain trends and common problems emerge that capture the attention and imagination of the American public, rightly or wrongly.
Perhaps the most common misperception is that the military of South America forms a united front solidly opposed to any political or social change that would threaten its power over society or its ironfisted grip over a corrupt and venal economic system. The reality is somewhat different. In almost every country of South America significant numbers within the military have been dedicated to political and social change. These groups have varied widely from country to country and from Left to Right on the political spectrum. They also have enjoyed a wide range of success, from actually taking over the government (Peru and Brazil, for example) to merely irritating the political organism (as in Venezuela, at least in recent years).
These young military technocrats have in many
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