Double-edged swords : armies, elite bargaining and state-building / Antonio Giustozzi.

By: Contributor(s): Material type: TextTextLanguage: Series: Publication details: [London, England] : Crisis States Research Centre, 2011.Description: 32 p. ; 30 cmISBN:
  • 17491797
  • 17491800
Subject(s): LOC classification:
  • Pamphlet JZ6374. G58
Holdings
Item type Current library Call number Status Date due Barcode Item holds
Monograph Monograph Afghanistan Centre at Kabul University Pamphlet JZ6374.G58 2011 (Browse shelf(Opens below)) Available 3ACKU000357219
Total holds: 0

Cover title.

“Crisis States Research Centre”—at head of title.

Abstract: This paper proposes a framework for the study of the role of armies in elite bargaining and state building. The path taken by what are today known as 'western democracies' is one of army institutionalization and subordination of the armed forces to the political elite. The paper accepts that this has been a historically successful path to resolve this dilemma, but also points out that the same path might not be attractive or feasible to ruling elites in every circumstance. In practice, most ruling elites seem to have found such a path unappealing or unworkable. The paper then describes a range of alternatives, highlighting the trade-offs implicit in each of them. It particularly focuses on the incorporation of armies in the elite bargain as the main alternative. The hypothesis which we tested in our series of case studies is that in contexts of state formation and in the early stages of state building, the integration of the army into a country's 'elite bargain' is a key factor in preventing military interventions.

Includes bibliographical references.