Customer Reviews

Eroding Military Influence in Brazil: Politicians Against Soldiers

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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

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

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.

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.

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!!

Wendy Hunter's book is interesting, however, it is somewhat hard to follow. Hunter is very knowledgeable on Brazil's democratic processes. I give this book 3 stars.

This book was used as a textbook for a political science class studying democracy and democratization, it is a great learning tool towards understanding what a true democracy is and how it is formed. The book would also help someone draw a parrell to why the United States does certain things and why they do not.

Wendy Hunter went to Brazil to reasearch the transition from military rule to democracy. Her theory? That the scholars who doomed the young democracy were completely off-base, and that the miracle that occured in Brazil was no mystery. Her theory of the "competetive dynamics of democracy" reinforces the old idea that a fickle electorate, leery of authority, can provide the basis for a strong and free democracy. Who knew that selfishly motivated politicians could wrest power from a feared military governemt and create a democracy? Wendy Hunter, that's who. Muy Bien.

She gives a detailed account of how civil-military relations come about. Her book was a little hard to follow but I did like reading about Brazil.