Politics and Violence in Central America and the Caribbean

Politics and Violence in Central America and the Caribbean PDF Author: Hannes Warnecke-Berger
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319897829
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 286

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Book Description
This book develops a comparative study on violence in Jamaica, El Salvador, and Belize based on a theoretical approach, extensive field research, and in-depth empirical research. It combines the Caribbean and Central America into a single comparative research that explores the historical (from the conquista onwards) as well as contemporary causes of violence in these societies. The volume focuses on forms of violence such as gang violence, police violence, every day forms of violence, vigilantism, and organized crime. The analysis provides a theoretical perspective that bridges political economy as well as cultural approaches in violence research. As such, it will be of interest to readers studying development, violence, political, Central American, and Caribbean studies.

Political and Military Sociology, An Annual Review

Political and Military Sociology, An Annual Review PDF Author: Neovi M. Karakatsanis
Publisher: Transaction Publishers
ISBN: 1412863899
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 158

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Book Description
The latest volume of the Political and Military Sociology annual review features empirical research on topics that focus on security, military training, culture, and the challenges of bureaucracy, law, and violence in democracies. The articles cover an impressive geographic range from Europe to Africa and to the Middle East. Two essays address threats to democratic polities by corrupt governmental and legal institutions and by electoral violence and intimidation. The first argues that a culture of “dualism” in Greece helps produce problems. The second analyzes the power of military student fraternities in Nigeria, arguing that democracy is threatened by these organizations. Two contributors then address the security and military challenges in Iraq. The first argues that successful military advisors must play dual roles as both peacekeeper-diplomats and warriors. The second poses that Iraqi government policies privileging the Shia population have alienated other groups—and helped support for groups such as ISIS. The final essay analyzes the acculturation of new soldiers to Zimbabwean military life through the training experiences of recruits. The volume also includes reviews of recent books on military and security matters.

Political and Military Sociology, an Annual Review

Political and Military Sociology, an Annual Review PDF Author: Jonathan Swarts
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1351499068
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 149

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Book Description
The latest volume of the Political and Military Sociology annual review features empirical research on topics that focus on security, military training, culture, and the challenges of bureaucracy, law, and violence in democracies. The articles cover an impressive geographic range from Europe to Africa and to the Middle East.Two essays address threats to democratic polities by corrupt governmental and legal institutions and by electoral violence and intimidation. The first argues that a culture of "dualism" in Greece helps produce problems. The second analyzes the power of military student fraternities in Nigeria, arguing that democracy is threatened by these organizations.Two contributors then address the security and military challenges in Iraq. The first argues that successful military advisors must play dual roles as both peacekeeper-diplomats and warriors. The second poses that Iraqi government policies privileging the Shia population have alienated other groups and helped support for groups such as ISIS. The final essay analyzes the acculturation of new soldiers to Zimbabwean military life through the training experiences of recruits.The volume also includes reviews of recent books on military and security matters.

Politics and Violence in Central America and the Caribbean

Politics and Violence in Central America and the Caribbean PDF Author: Hannes Warnecke-Berger
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319897829
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 286

Get Book Here

Book Description
This book develops a comparative study on violence in Jamaica, El Salvador, and Belize based on a theoretical approach, extensive field research, and in-depth empirical research. It combines the Caribbean and Central America into a single comparative research that explores the historical (from the conquista onwards) as well as contemporary causes of violence in these societies. The volume focuses on forms of violence such as gang violence, police violence, every day forms of violence, vigilantism, and organized crime. The analysis provides a theoretical perspective that bridges political economy as well as cultural approaches in violence research. As such, it will be of interest to readers studying development, violence, political, Central American, and Caribbean studies.

The Ashgate Research Companion to Regionalisms

The Ashgate Research Companion to Regionalisms PDF Author: J. Andrew Grant
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1317041852
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 474

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Book Description
EU studies increasingly recognize the salience of new regional insights. Hence, this collection of original essays provides a broad overview of regionalism, together with detailed analyses on the construction, activities, and implications of both established and emerging examples of formal political and economic organizations as well as informal regional entities and networks. Aimed at scholars and students interested in the continuing growth of regionalism, The Ashgate Research Companion to Regionalisms is a key resource to understanding the major debates in the field. Organized into three main sections, this volume deals with a wide range of issues covering the following important research areas: -Section one covers theoretical and methodological approaches to the study of established and formal regionalism, emerging and informal regionalism, inter-regionalism, and levels of regionalism. -Section two provides detailed case-studies of established and formal regionalisms: EU, NAFTA, ASEAN, SAARC, OAS, MERCOSUR, AU, ECOWAS, and SADC. -Section three offers case-studies that investigate emerging and informal regionalisms in Oceania, the Arab League, BRICSAM, and the Commonwealth(s) as well as thought-provoking chapters on micro-regional processes evident in spatial development initiatives, transnational gangs, transfrontier conservation areas, and the migration-conflict nexus in natural resource sectors. With the study of regionalism becoming an increasingly important part of politics, international relations, development, and global studies courses, this comprehensive volume is a valuable addition for classroom use.

The Future of Counterinsurgency

The Future of Counterinsurgency PDF Author: Lawrence E. Cline
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA
ISBN:
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 420

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Book Description
This thought-provoking work analyzes the major debates surrounding counterinsurgency campaigns and uncovers the internal security problems derailing effective strategies for restoring stability. As countries across the globe continue to adjust their security operations to counter an increasingly volatile political landscape, the issue of how to identify and derail a host of violent groups remains of considerable interest. This comprehensive volume offers an examination of the effectiveness of contemporary counterinsurgency efforts, revealing which approaches offer the greatest chances of success internally, regionally, and internationally. Featuring perspectives from experts and analysts in the field of irregular warfare and international security, this is an unparalleled exploration of all types of insurgency from warlordism, to piracy, to guerilla movements. The book looks beyond the popular focus on Iraq and Afghanistan, delving into the internal security operations of regions not normally studied. Chapters cover goal setting and measurements for restoring security, information operations and strategic communications between insurgent groups and governments, and the different approaches of governments in combating political unrest. Case studies include movements in Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Egypt, and South Africa.

Crime and Violence in the Caribbean

Crime and Violence in the Caribbean PDF Author: Sherill V. C. Morris-Francis
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 1498549306
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 257

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Book Description
This volume provides an overview of the Caribbean countries, its colonial history, causes, costs and consequences of crime and violence in the Caribbean. The contributors pull from primary research and the available data from multiple sources including national and country specific reports to assess the magnitude, characteristics, and the changing nature of crimes in various Caribbean countries. Discussion is offered on the following crime issue: gender-based violence, homicides, drugs, gangs, money laundering, murder suicided, deportation and the use of Geographic Information System (GIS) to fight crime. In addition, the book provides a discussion of the crime prevention capabilities of selected countries looking at the nature of the crime problem, offers an assessment of the crime prevention capabilities and makes suggestions for policy development.

Flawed Democracy and Development

Flawed Democracy and Development PDF Author: Stacey-Ann Wilson
Publisher: Lexington Books
ISBN: 166694968X
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 209

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Book Description
Flawed Democracy and Development: A Jamaica Case Study takes a critical look at the discourse on democracy and development in Jamaica and analyzes some of the core features and practices that have historically impeded economic growth, created a political culture of mistrust of government, and motivated political apathy among the electorate, especially the youth. The contributors in this book interrogate how flawed democracy is played out in the historical as well as the political and economic institutional set up of Jamaica. The contributors also address how political participation is impacted by the heightened perception of public corruption, the lack of accountability and transparency in government decision making, and the way election campaigns are conducted by the two main political parties: the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the People’s National Party (PNP). The book addresses not just the economic and political issues normally associated with flawed democracy discussions but also includes discussion on social and cultural issues, including identity, language, and the cultural influence of geography. The contributors agree that the challenges faced by Jamaica, a small island developing state, are not irreconcilable but they require an engaged electorate and a overhaul of the political system to move the country away from a flawed democracy tag.

Mano Dura

Mano Dura PDF Author: Sonja Wolf
Publisher: University of Texas Press
ISBN: 1477311661
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 321

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Book Description
In 1992, at the end of a twelve-year civil war, El Salvador was poised for a transition to democracy. Yet, after longstanding dominance by a small oligarchy that continually used violence to repress popular resistance, El Salvador’s democracy has proven to be a fragile one, as social ills (poverty chief among them) have given rise to neighborhoods where gang activity now thrives. Mano Dura examines the ways in which the ruling ARENA party used gang violence to solidify political power in the hands of the elite—culminating in draconian “iron fist” antigang policies that undermine human rights while ultimately doing little to address the roots of gang membership. Drawing on extensive ethnographic fieldwork and policy analysis, Mano Dura examines the activities of three nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) that have advocated for more nuanced policies to eradicate gangs and the societal issues that are both a cause and an effect of gang proliferation. While other studies of street gangs have focused on relatively distant countries such as Colombia, Argentina, and Jamaica, Sonja Wolf’s research takes us to a country closer to the United States, where forced deportation has brought with it US gang culture. Charting the limited success of NGOs in influencing El Salvador’s security policies, the book brings to light key contextual aspects—including myopic media coverage and the ironic populist support for ARENA, despite the party’s protection of the elite at the expense of the greater society.

Peace Operations and Organized Crime

Peace Operations and Organized Crime PDF Author: James Cockayne
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1136643117
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 267

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Book Description
Peace operations are increasingly on the front line in the international community’s fight against organized crime; this book explores how, in some cases, peace operations and organized crime are clear enemies, while in others, they may become tacit allies. The threat posed by organized crime to international and human security has become a matter of considerable strategic concern for national and international decision-makers, so it is somewhat surprising how little thought has been devoted to addressing the complex relationship between organized crime and peace operations. This volume addresses this gap, questioning the emerging orthodoxy that portrays organized crime as an external threat to the liberal peace championed by western and allied states and delivered through peace operations. Based upon a series of case studies it concludes that organized crime is both a potential enemy and a potential ally of peace operations, and it argues for the need to distinguish between strategies to contain organized crime and strategies to transform the political economies in which it flourishes. The editors argue for the development of intelligent, transnational, and transitional law enforcement that can make the most of organized crime as a potential ally for transforming political economies, while at the same time containing the threat it presents as an enemy to building effective and responsible states. The book will be of great interest to students of peacebuilding, peace and conflict studies, organised crime, Security Studies and IR in general.

Gangs in the Caribbean

Gangs in the Caribbean PDF Author: Randy Seepersad
Publisher: Cambridge Scholars Publishing
ISBN: 1443852791
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 315

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Book Description
The present volume represents the first published book on gangs in the Caribbean. The study of criminal gangs is both timely and of the utmost importance to policy and security in the region. In many countries across the Caribbean, criminal gangs are increasing in number and prominence, and official crime data indicate that they are responsible for an increasing proportion of violent crimes. The Caribbean region experienced a dramatic increase in murder rates from 14.3 murders per 100,000 inhabitants in 2000 to 28.1 murders per 100,000 inhabitants in 2010. In some of the countries with comparatively high murder rates, such as Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, the proportion of gang-related murders has reached alarming levels. In the case of Trinidad and Tobago, for example, for the period 2001 to 2012, 29.5% of all murders which occurred were classified as gang-related, with fully 38% being so classified in 2012. The Caribbean represents a diverse region with very different cultures and security issues. Foreign experiences and research on gangs may not generalize to the region, nor may foreign policy be entirely relevant. The present volume represents an attempt to come to terms with the phenomenon of gangs in the Caribbean, and presents a wealth of empirical data, as well as an analysis of the varying issues from a number of disciplinary perspectives. Much of what is currently known about gangs in the Caribbean is brought together in this volume, with the primary aims of understanding the varying issues and examining relevant strategies for dealing with the proliferation of criminal gangs.