Civil-Military Relations and Concordance Theory

📖 The Scoop

The purpose of this thesis is to test Rebecca L. Schiff's "Theory of Concordance" against the case of Argentina. Using the case study method to determine whether this relatively neglected theory of civil-military relations accounts for the occurrence of military interventions in Argentina, this thesis also examines whether the theory provides a better tool than separation theory by which to analyze civil-military relations in Latin America. Separation theory describes the separation of civil and military institutions as it occurs in the United States and suggests that it is the ideal model for other nations to emulate. Concordance theory argues that three partner the military, the political elites, and the citizenry should aim for a cooperative relationship that may or may not involve separation, but does not require it. What is interesting about this theory is that it accounts for the U.S. model as well. The thesis concludes that in the case of Argentina, separation theory better predicts the mechanisms by which a civilian government may establish control over its formerly interventionist military. However, with modification, concordance theory may provide insights into how that control may be maintained following the transition to enduring democracy.

Genre: Political Science / American Government / General (fancy, right?)