| Abstract: | The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the complexity of evaluating the political role of Third-World militaries and to underline the necessity of including many different kinds of information into analyses of that role.Four broad societal groups are identified which might be expected to benefit the most by some degree of military involvement in the economic and political life of a country: domestic civilian groups, the military as an institution, individuals within the military, and foreign groups. Some of the major reasons why each of these groups may favour a political and economic role for the military are outlined and examples are provided throughout of how these elements have operated in practice. The way in which the interests of the four broad groups may coincide is also discussed. |
