Arms and the People : Popular Movements and the Military From the Paris Commune to the Arab Spring

Looking at a range of global historical experiences, Arms and the People examines the relationship between mass movements and military institutions. Some argue that it is impossible to achieve and protect a revolution without the support of the army, but how can the support of the army be won?Arms and the People explores the impact of profound social polarization on the internal cohesion of the state's "armed bodies of men" and on the contested loyalties of soldiers. The different contributors examine a series of historical moments in which a crisis in the military institution has reflected a deeper social crisis which has penetrated that institution and threatened to disable it.With a range of international contributors who have either studied or been directly involved in such social upheavals, Arms and the People is a pioneering contribution to the study of revolutionary change and will appeal to students and academics in history, politics, and sociology. Looking At A Range Of Global Historical Experiences, Arms And The People Examines The Relationship Between Mass Movements And Military Institutions. Some Argue That It Is Impossible To Achieve And Protect A Revolution Without The Support Of The Army, But How Can The Support Of The Army Be Won? Arms And The People Explores The Impact Of Profound Social Polarisation On The Internal Cohesion Of The State's 'armed Bodies Of Men' And On The Contested Loyalties Of Soldiers. The Different Contributors Examine A Series Of Historical Moments In Which A Crisis In The Military Institution Has Reflected A Deeper Social Crisis Which Has Penetrated That Institution And Threatened To Disable It. With A Range Of International Contributors Who Have Either Studied Or Been Directly Involved In Such Social Upheavals, Arms And The People Is A Pioneering Contribution To The Study Of Revolutionary Change And Will Appeal To Students And Academics In History, Politics And Sociology.--publisher's Website. Machine Generated Contents Note: Soldiers And Revolution -- 1.soldiers, Sailors And Revolution: Russia 1917 / Mike Haynes -- 2.an Army In Revolt: Germany 1918-19 / Volkhard Moser -- 3.nation Against Nation: Italy 1919-21 / Megan Trudell -- 4.soldiers On The Side Of The People: Portugal 1974-75 / Peter Robinson -- The Popular Forces Mobilise -- 5.militia And Workers' State: Paris 1871 / Donny Gluckstein -- 6.the People In Arms: Spain 1936 / Andy Durgan -- 7.never One Hand': Egypt 2011 / Philip Marfleet -- Guerrilla Wars And The Limits Of Imperial Power -- 8.people Change: American Soldiers And Marines In Vietnam 1965-73 / Jonathan Neale -- 9.crazy Little Armies: Guerrilla Strategy In Latin America 1958-90 / Mike Gonzalez -- Counter-revolution And The Military -- 10.the Iron Fist: Chile 1973 / Mike Gonzalez -- 11.reaction And Slaughter: Indonesia 1965-66 / Nathaniel Mehr -- The Civic-military Alliance -- Contents Note Continued: 12.storming The Ramparts Of Tyranny': Egypt And Iraq 1945-63 / Anne Alexander -- 13.the Civic-military Alliance: Venezuela 1958-90 / Mike Gonzalez. Edited By Mike Gonzalez And Houman Barekat. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Cover 1 Contents 6 Introduction - Mike Gonzalez 8 Soldiers and Revolution 16 1. Soldiers, Sailors and Revolution: Russia 1917 - Mike Haynes 18 2. An Army in Revolt: Germany 1918-19 - Volkhard Mosler 42 3. Nation against Nation: Italy 1919-21 - Megan Trudell 65 4. Soldiers on the Side of the People: Portugal 1974-75 - Peter Robinson 86 The Popular Forces Mobilise 110 5. Militia and Workers' State: Paris 1871 - Donny Gluckstein 112 6. The People in Arms: Spain 1936 - Andrew Durgan 130 7. Never 'One Hand': Egypt 2011 - Philip Marfleet 156 Guerrilla Wars and the Limits of Imperial Power 178 8. People Change: American Soldiers and Marines in Vietnam 1965-73 - Jonathan Neale 180 9. Crazy Little Armies: Guerrilla Strategy in Latin America 1958-90 - Mike Gonzalez 200 Counter-Revolution and the Military 216 10. The Iron Fist: Chile 1973 - Mike Gonzalez 218 11. Reaction and Slaughter: Indonesia 1965-66 - Nathaniel Mehr 239 The Civil-Military Alliance 258 12. 'Storming the Ramparts of Tyranny': Egypt and Iraq 1945-63 - Anne Alexander 260 13. The Civic-Military Alliance: Venezuela 1958-90 - An Interview with Douglas Bravo by Mike Gonzalez 285 Notes on Contributors 296 Index 298 This collection examines the relationship between mass movements and the military. Some argue that it is impossible to achieve and protect a revolution without the support of the army, but how can the support of the army be won? Arms and the People explores the impact of social extremes on the solidarity within the state's military, and on the changing loyalties of these soldiers. The authors examine a series of historical moments in which a crisis in the military has reflected deep instability in the wider world, including Russia in 1917, Egypt during the Arab Spring, the Paris Commune, as well as long-standing instability in Venezuela and Indonesia, amongst many others. Including a range of international authors who have either studied or been directly involved in such social upheavals, Arms and the People is a pioneering contribution to the study of revolutionary change. A pioneering look at the methods of undermining and co-opting state-run militaries, for revolutionary ends