Glossary

3.3 Military Dictatorships and Bureaucratic Authoritarianism

4 min read•july 30, 2024

Military dictatorships swept Latin America in the mid-20th century, fueled by Cold War tensions and economic instability. These regimes, often backed by the US, seized power to combat perceived communist threats and restore order.

emerged as a distinct form of military rule. It prioritized economic growth over democratic freedoms, leading to human rights abuses and increased inequality. This period shaped Latin America's political landscape for decades to come.

Rise of Military Dictatorships in Latin America

Emergence and Justification of Military Dictatorships

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  • Military dictatorships emerged in many Latin American countries (Brazil 1964-1985, Argentina 1976-1983, Chile 1973-1990, Uruguay 1973-1985)
  • The rise of military dictatorships was frequently justified by the perceived threat of communism and leftist movements in the context of the Cold War
    • The Cuban Revolution (1959) and the fear of its spread greatly influenced the political climate in Latin America
    • The United States actively supported military coups and dictatorships as part of its anti-communist foreign policy in the region ()

Factors Contributing to the Seizure of Power by the Military

  • Economic instability, social unrest, and political polarization contributed to the breakdown of democratic institutions and the seizure of power by the military
    • High inflation, income inequality, and poverty fueled social discontent and political radicalization
    • Polarization between leftist groups and conservative elites intensified conflicts and undermined democratic governance
  • Military dictatorships often suspended constitutional rights, dissolved congress, banned political parties, and censored the media to consolidate their power
  • The military justified its intervention in politics as necessary to restore order, promote economic development, and combat subversion
    • Military leaders portrayed themselves as the guardians of national security and stability
    • The military argued that civilian governments were ineffective in addressing the challenges faced by their countries

Characteristics of Bureaucratic Authoritarianism

Key Features of Bureaucratic Authoritarian Regimes

  • Bureaucratic authoritarianism is a concept developed by political scientist Guillermo O'Donnell to describe the type of military rule that emerged in Latin America during the 1960s and 1970s
  • Key characteristics of bureaucratic authoritarianism include:
    • The military as the dominant political actor, often in alliance with technocratic civilians and foreign capital
    • The exclusion of the popular sector (working class and lower-middle class) from political participation
    • The promotion of industrialization and economic modernization through state intervention and foreign investment ()
    • The use of repressive measures to control opposition and maintain social order

Consequences and Priorities of Bureaucratic Authoritarianism

  • Bureaucratic authoritarian regimes prioritized economic growth and stability over democratic freedoms and social welfare
    • Emphasis on attracting foreign investment and promoting export-oriented industries
    • Implementation of (privatization, deregulation, trade liberalization)
  • The consequences of bureaucratic authoritarianism included:
    • The concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a small elite, leading to increased social inequality
    • The suppression of civil society, labor unions, and political opposition, limiting the space for democratic participation
    • Human rights abuses, including torture, disappearances, and extrajudicial killings, as part of the state's repressive apparatus

Human Rights Abuses under Military Rule

Repressive Tactics and Violations of Human Rights

  • Military dictatorships in Latin America were characterized by widespread and the systematic of political opponents
  • State security forces, including the military and police, were responsible for arbitrary arrests, torture, disappearances, and extrajudicial killings of suspected dissidents
    • The use of torture was widespread, with techniques such as electric shocks, waterboarding, and sexual abuse being employed to extract information and instill fear
    • Forced disappearances, where individuals were abducted by security forces and never seen again, became a hallmark of military dictatorships ( in Argentina)

Targets of Repression and Legacy of Human Rights Abuses

  • Military regimes often targeted leftist activists, trade unionists, students, intellectuals, and anyone perceived as a threat to the established order
  • The repressive policies of military dictatorships aimed to eliminate opposition, instill fear in the population, and maintain the regime's grip on power
  • The legacy of human rights abuses committed during military dictatorships continues to shape the political and social landscape of Latin American countries
    • Ongoing struggles for truth, justice, and memory ()
    • Efforts to prosecute perpetrators and provide reparations to victims and their families

Decline of Military Rule in Latin America

Economic Factors in the Erosion of Military Regimes

  • The decline of military rule in Latin America was a gradual process that varied across countries, with some dictatorships lasting into the 1980s and 1990s
  • Economic factors played a significant role in the erosion of military regimes:
    • The debt crisis of the 1980s, triggered by the rise in global interest rates and the fall in commodity prices, exposed the limitations of the economic models pursued by military governments
    • The failure of military regimes to deliver sustained economic growth and the increasing social costs of austerity measures undermined their legitimacy

Domestic and International Pressure for Democratization

  • The human rights abuses committed by military dictatorships generated domestic and international condemnation, eroding their support and legitimacy
    • The emergence of (Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo in Argentina) drew attention to the atrocities committed by military regimes
    • The United States, under President Jimmy Carter, shifted its foreign policy to place greater emphasis on human rights, reducing its support for military dictatorships
  • The mobilization of civil society, including trade unions, student movements, and political parties, challenged the authority of military regimes and demanded a return to democracy
  • The process of democratization in Latin America was influenced by a combination of internal and external pressures
    • Negotiations between the military and civilian opposition
    • International support for democratic transitions
    • The exhaustion of the military's political project

Key Terms to Review (21)

Augusto Pinochet: Augusto Pinochet was a Chilean general and dictator who ruled Chile from 1973 to 1990 after leading a military coup that overthrew the democratically elected government of President Salvador Allende. His regime is often cited as a key example of military dictatorships in Latin America, characterized by authoritarian rule and extensive human rights abuses.
Authoritarian stability: Authoritarian stability refers to the capacity of authoritarian regimes to maintain control and order within a society, ensuring their persistence despite internal and external challenges. This concept is closely linked to the mechanisms employed by military dictatorships and bureaucratic authoritarian regimes, which often rely on coercion, propaganda, and limited political pluralism to sustain their authority. Understanding how these regimes achieve stability provides insights into the dynamics of power and resistance in Latin American politics.
Bureaucratic Authoritarianism: Bureaucratic authoritarianism refers to a form of governance that combines authoritarian rule with a bureaucratic structure, often characterized by the military's significant influence in politics and administration. This system emphasizes technical expertise and rationality over democratic processes, often sidelining civil liberties and political opposition. It is typically associated with regimes that emerge during periods of economic crisis or social unrest, where the military and bureaucratic elites seek to maintain control and stability through repression.
Censorship: Censorship is the suppression or restriction of information, ideas, or expressions deemed objectionable or harmful by authorities. This practice often aims to maintain control over public perception and limit dissenting viewpoints, particularly in political contexts. Censorship can manifest through various means, including government regulations, media control, and direct intimidation of individuals who express contrary opinions.
Co-optation: Co-optation is the process by which political leaders or groups integrate dissenters or opposition into their structures, often neutralizing potential threats by offering them positions of power or benefits. This strategy helps maintain stability by diluting opposition and creating a facade of inclusivity. It can also serve as a way to legitimize authority while keeping a tight grip on power.
Dirty War: The Dirty War refers to a period of state terrorism in Argentina from the mid-1970s to the early 1980s, where the government targeted suspected dissidents, resulting in widespread human rights abuses, forced disappearances, and the killings of thousands. This period is crucial for understanding how military dictatorships operated in Latin America, as it highlights the extreme measures taken by authoritarian regimes to maintain control and suppress opposition.
Hard Authoritarianism: Hard authoritarianism refers to a political system characterized by strict control over political power and limited political freedoms, where the state employs force and repression to maintain authority. This form of governance typically involves a lack of democratic institutions and processes, with power concentrated in the hands of a ruling elite or military leaders, often seen in military dictatorships and bureaucratic authoritarian regimes.
Human rights organizations: Human rights organizations are entities dedicated to promoting and protecting the fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals, often monitoring abuses and advocating for justice. They play a critical role in holding governments accountable, especially during times of repression or authoritarian rule, where abuses can flourish without oversight. These organizations often document violations, provide legal assistance to victims, and raise awareness on global platforms, influencing policy changes and fostering social movements.
Human Rights Violations: Human rights violations refer to the infringement of the basic rights and freedoms that belong to every person, often involving acts of oppression, discrimination, or violence by governments or other entities. These violations can manifest in various forms such as torture, extrajudicial killings, forced disappearances, and suppression of free speech, reflecting a broader struggle for justice and accountability in many regions. In many cases, these violations are a consequence of military regimes or authoritarian governance that seek to maintain control over populations through fear and repression.
Import-Substitution Industrialization: Import-substitution industrialization (ISI) is an economic policy aimed at reducing dependency on foreign imports by fostering domestic industries. This approach emphasizes the development of local manufacturing and production capacities to replace imported goods, often through protective tariffs and state intervention. In the context of military dictatorships and bureaucratic authoritarianism, ISI often served as a tool for regimes to consolidate power by promoting economic independence while also using state resources to support favored industries and suppress dissent.
Jorge Rafael Videla: Jorge Rafael Videla was an Argentine general and military officer who served as the de facto President of Argentina from 1976 to 1981, during a period known for severe human rights abuses. His regime was characterized by the implementation of a systematic campaign of state terrorism against suspected dissidents, which is a key feature of military dictatorships and bureaucratic authoritarianism in Latin America.
Military Dictatorship: A military dictatorship is a form of government in which the military controls the political power, often suspending civil rights and political freedoms, to maintain order and enforce its authority. This type of regime typically arises in contexts of political instability, where military leaders justify their rule as a means to restore order and promote national security, often leading to bureaucratic authoritarianism and influencing the trajectory of democratization efforts.
Military Junta: A military junta is a government led by a committee of military leaders who take control of the state, often following a coup d'état. These juntas typically suspend democratic processes, impose martial law, and prioritize military objectives over civilian governance, often justifying their rule as a means to restore order or stability in times of crisis.
Neoliberal economic policies: Neoliberal economic policies refer to a set of economic principles that emphasize free markets, deregulation, and reduced government intervention in the economy. These policies gained traction in the late 20th century, particularly in Latin America, often promoted as a solution to economic crises faced by various countries. By prioritizing privatization, austerity measures, and trade liberalization, these policies sought to create a more competitive economic environment but have also been linked to increased inequality and social unrest.
Operation Condor: Operation Condor was a covert program initiated in the 1970s by several South American military governments, primarily aimed at eradicating leftist opposition and coordinating intelligence operations against political dissidents. This operation involved a campaign of political repression, including kidnappings, torture, and killings, supported by the United States during the Cold War to maintain anti-communist regimes in the region. Its legacy continues to impact discussions around human rights violations and state violence in Latin America.
Political Repression: Political repression refers to the systematic suppression of political dissent and opposition by state authorities, often through coercive measures such as censorship, imprisonment, torture, and violence. This phenomenon is typically used to maintain control, silence critics, and limit political participation, especially during periods of authoritarian rule or military governance. The legacy of political repression can have long-lasting effects on society, shaping political culture and influencing future governance.
Propaganda: Propaganda is a form of communication aimed at influencing the attitude of a community toward some cause or position by presenting only one side of an argument. In the context of military dictatorships and bureaucratic authoritarianism, propaganda serves as a tool for these regimes to maintain power by shaping public perception, controlling information, and fostering an image of legitimacy. This strategic use of information helps suppress dissent and creates a narrative that promotes the ruling authority's agenda.
Repression: Repression refers to the systematic use of force, intimidation, or coercion by a government or authority to control and suppress dissent or opposition. This often involves the violation of human rights, censorship, and violence against individuals or groups who challenge the regime. In the context of military dictatorships and authoritarian regimes, repression serves as a crucial tool for maintaining power and stifling political pluralism.
Soft Authoritarianism: Soft authoritarianism refers to a political system that combines elements of authoritarianism with some degree of political pluralism and limited democratic processes. This system often uses coercion and manipulation to maintain control while creating a façade of democracy, allowing for limited opposition and civil liberties under tight regulation. It is particularly relevant in the context of military dictatorships and bureaucratic authoritarianism, where regimes may use state resources to suppress dissent while promoting a controlled form of political participation.
State Corporatism: State corporatism is a political system where the state plays a central role in organizing and controlling interest groups, allowing them to participate in decision-making processes while maintaining overall authority. This system contrasts with pluralism, as the state actively shapes the relationships between various social organizations, often favoring certain groups to reinforce its power and control. In contexts of military dictatorships and bureaucratic authoritarianism, state corporatism can facilitate the regime's ability to suppress dissent and manage opposition through co-optation of organized interests.
Truth and Reconciliation Commissions: Truth and reconciliation commissions (TRCs) are official bodies established to investigate and address past human rights abuses, promote healing, and foster national unity in societies transitioning from conflict or authoritarian rule. These commissions often focus on uncovering the truth about atrocities committed during military dictatorships and bureaucratic authoritarian regimes, offering a platform for victims to share their experiences and hold perpetrators accountable while emphasizing the importance of forgiveness and social cohesion.
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