Militarist Peace in South America (PDF)

Félix E. Martín is Assistant Professor in the department of International Relations at Florida International University in Miami, Florida. His articles and book chapters on the politics of economics of South America have been published in Brazil, France, Mexico, and Spain. He co-edited Latin America's Quest for Globalization: The Role of Spanish Firms (2005).

"A coherent, strong and well-organized [book] that will make a significant contribution to the literature." - Pablo Toral, Department of Political Science, Beloit College

"Highly original and stimulating...of superb intellectual quality." - Carlos Seiglie, Department of Economics, Rutgers University"This study confounds popular assumptions and accounts for a surprising phenomenon that cannot be explained by standard international relations theories. It shows clearly that in the region where instability and military regimes have been prevalent, wars between countries do not occur. Peace between states endures, perversely, not despite militarism but because of it. Powerful evidence, fascinating analysis, and a conclusion that theorists of the causes of war cannot ignore." - Richard Betts, Director, Saltzman Institute of War and Peace Studies, Columbia University

"This is an important addition to the growing literature on war in Latin America. Better than anyone, Martín has engaged in a thorough review of how Latin America confirms or refutes international relations theory. As such, the book will be critical reading for not only those working on the continent, but for students of war in general. Martín's emphasis on the critical role of military socialization makes a great deal of sense and places the actions and proclivities of Latin American soldiers in a new light." - Miguel Angel Centeno, Princeton University"We think of democracies as the club of nations that never fight wars against each other. Yet South America's states, including many military dictatorships, have not fought a major war among themselves since 1935. Félix Martín's Militarist Peace in South America advances the innovative argument that the continent's militaries came to adopt a transnational professional ethos that underpinned this unequaled peace. This stimulating challenge to conventional wisdom deserves to be read and debated widely." - Jack Snyder, Robert and Renée Belfer