Routes to Reform: Civil-Military Relations and Democracy in the Third Wave

This book examines the conditions under which new democracies succeed or fail in establishing firm and lasting civilian control of the military, using a multi-dimensional conceptual framework. It tests the theory on an original dataset and explores the effects of different degrees of civilian control on the survival and democratic quality of third wave democracies.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 30 March 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press

This comprehensive book delves into the critical factors that determine whether new democracies succeed in establishing robust and enduring civilian control over their militaries. David Kuehn and Aurel Croissant present a multi-dimensional conceptual framework to assess the extent of civilian control in these emerging democracies and track its evolution over time. Their proposed theory of civilian control in new democracies seamlessly integrates rationalist, structuralist, and institutionalist arguments into a coherent model, providing insights into the timing, mechanisms, and pathways through which new democracies achieve or fail in establishing and sustaining civilian control over the military.

To test their theory, the authors utilize an original dataset encompassing civilian control over the military in 66 countries that have undergone transitions from authoritarian to democratic rule at least once between 1974 and 2010. Through a combination of large-N statistical analyses and in-depth case study narratives, the study explores the impact of varying degrees of civilian control on the survival and democratic quality of third-wave democracies.

The book establishes a comprehensive understanding of the conditions and processes that either facilitate or hinder the establishment of firm and lasting civilian control over the military. It sheds light on the consequences of such control for the sustainability and quality of the new democratic structures, processes, and practices. By examining the successes and failures of third-wave democracies, this work contributes valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by emerging democracies as they navigate the complex transition from military rule to civilian governance.

Weight: 536g
Dimension: 241 x 161 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198803362