Death Squads or Self-Defense Forces?

How Paramilitary Groups Emerge and Challenge Democracy in Latin America

By Julie Mazzei | Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press

About the book

In an era when the global community is confronted with challenges posed by violent nonstate organizations — from FARC in Colombia to the Taliban in Afghanistan — our understanding of the nature and emergence of these groups takes on heightened importance. Julie Mazzei’s timely study offers a comprehensive analysis of the dynamics that facilitate the organization and mobilization of one of the most virulent types of these organizations, paramilitary groups (PMGs).

Mazzei reconstructs in rich historical context the organization of PMGs in Colombia, El Salvador, and Mexico, identifying the variables that together create a triad of factors enabling paramilitary emergence: ambivalent state officials, powerful military personnel, and privileged members of the economic elite. Nations embroiled in domestic conflicts often find themselves stuck between a rock and a hard place when global demands for human rights contradict internal expectations and demands for political stability. Mazzei elucidates the importance of such circumstances in the emergence of PMGs, exploring the roles played by interests and policies at both the domestic and international levels. By offering an explanatory model of paramilitary emergence, Mazzei provides a framework to facilitate more effective policy making aimed at mitigating and undermining the political potency of these dangerous forces.

Editions of Death Squads or Self-Defense Forces?

Hardcover
ISBN 9780807833063
Paperback
ISBN 9780807859698
EBook
ISBN 9798890883100
EBook
ISBN 9798893133226
EBook
ISBN 9781469605524
EBook
ISBN 9780807898611

Read an Excerpt

In an era when the global community is confronted with challenges posed by violent nonstate organizations — from FARC in Colombia to the Taliban in Afghanistan — our understanding of the nature and emergence of these groups takes on heightened importance. Julie Mazzei’s timely study offers a comprehensive analysis of the dynamics that facilitate the organization and mobilization of one of the most virulent types of these organizations, paramilitary groups (PMGs).

Mazzei reconstructs in rich historical context the organization of PMGs in Colombia, El Salvador, and Mexico, identifying the variables that together create a triad of factors enabling paramilitary emergence: ambivalent state officials, powerful military personnel, and privileged members of the economic elite. Nations embroiled in domestic conflicts often find themselves stuck between a rock and a hard place when global demands for human rights contradict internal expectations and demands for political stability. Mazzei elucidates the importance of such circumstances in the emergence of PMGs, exploring the roles played by interests and policies at both the domestic and international levels. By offering an explanatory model of paramilitary emergence, Mazzei provides a framework to facilitate more effective policy making aimed at mitigating and undermining the political potency of these dangerous forces.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Death Squads or Self-Defense Forces? about?

In an era when the global community is confronted with challenges posed by violent nonstate organizations — from FARC in Colombia to the Taliban in Afghanistan — our understanding of the nature and emergence of these groups takes on heightened importance. Julie Mazzei’s timely study offers a comprehensive analysis of the dynamics that facilitate the organization and mobilization of one of the most virulent types of these organizations, paramilitary groups (PMGs).

Mazzei reconstructs in rich historical context the organization of PMGs in Colombia, El Salvador, and Mexico, identifying the variables that together create a triad of factors enabling paramilitary emergence: ambivalent state officials, powerful military personnel, and privileged members of the economic elite. Nations embroiled in domestic conflicts often find themselves stuck between a rock and a hard place when global demands for human rights contradict internal expectations and demands for political stability. Mazzei elucidates the importance of such circumstances in the emergence of PMGs, exploring the roles played by interests and policies at both the domestic and international levels. By offering an explanatory model of paramilitary emergence, Mazzei provides a framework to facilitate more effective policy making aimed at mitigating and undermining the political potency of these dangerous forces.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Death Squads or Self-Defense Forces??

History and Archaeology > History > History of the Americas

Where can I read a sample of Death Squads or Self-Defense Forces??

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780807833063

How long is Death Squads or Self-Defense Forces? and how many pages does it have?

Death Squads or Self-Defense Forces? has 272 page(s)

Who is/are the Author/s of the book Death Squads or Self-Defense Forces??

Julie Mazzei

Who is the Publisher of the book Death Squads or Self-Defense Forces??

The University of North Carolina Press

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

Death Squads or Self-Defense Forces? is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780807833063) and paperback(ISBN 9780807859698) and ebook(ISBN 9798890883100) and ebook(ISBN 9798893133226) and ebook(ISBN 9781469605524) and ebook(ISBN 9780807898611)

Where can I buy Death Squads or Self-Defense Forces? online or support local independent bookshops?

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Where can I buy Death Squads or Self-Defense Forces??