Latin American military between the left and the right

Abstract

In the development of the left ideologies and political movements in Latin American countries the interaction with the armed forces has always been significant. The Communist parties and labor unions either saw them as exclusively oppressive institution or as an ally in need of political guidance. In the view of the contemporary status of the Left in the region it is pertinent to deal with the evolution of the military's participation in politics. For this purpose, the comparison is drawn between their position within different models of civil-military relations. The role of the military in the electoral processes is examined, as well as their place in the main issues of national policies. In conclusion, the statements are given on the nature of their identification with the forces of the Left and the Right.