Blood and Debt : War and the Nation-State in Latin America

What role does war play in political development? Our understanding of the rise of the nation-state is based heavily on the Western European experience of war. Challenging the dominance of this model, __Blood and Debt__ looks at Latin America's much different experience as more relevant to politics today in regions as varied as the Balkans and sub-Saharan Africa. The book's illuminating review of the relatively peaceful history of Latin America from the late eighteenth through the early twentieth centuries reveals the lack of two critical prerequisites needed for war: a political and military culture oriented toward international violence, and the state institutional capacity to carry it out. Using innovative new data such as tax receipts, naming of streets and public monuments, and conscription records, the author carefully examines how war affected the fiscal development of the state, the creation of national identity, and claims to citizenship. Rather than building nation-states and fostering democratic citizenship, he shows, war in Latin America destroyed institutions, confirmed internal divisions, and killed many without purpose or glory.

what Role Does War Play In Political Development? Our Understanding Of The Rise Of The Nation-state Is Based Heavily On The Western European Experience Of War. Challenging The Dominance Of This Model, Blood And Debt Looks At Latin America's Much Different Experience As More Relevant To Politics Today In Regions As Varied As The Balkans And Sub-saharan Africa. The Book's Illuminating Review Of The Relatively Peaceful History Of Latin America From The Late Eighteenth Through The Early Twentieth Centuries Reveals The Lack Of Two Critical Prerequisites Needed For War: A Political And Military Culture Oriented Toward International Violence And The State Institutional Capacity To Carry It Out. Using Innovative New Data Such As Tax Receipts, Naming Of Streets And Public Monuments, And Conscription Records, The Author Carefully Examines How War Affected The Fiscal Development Of The State, The Creation Of National Identity, And Claims To Citizenship. Rather Than Building Nation-states And Fostering Democratic Citizenship, He Shows, War In Latin America Destroyed Institutions, Confirmed Internal Divisions, And Killed Many Without Purpose Or Glory.

georgetown Journal Of International Affairs - David R. Mares

centeno's Critique Of The Argument That War Creates Capable States Is Convincing... blood And Debt Presents An Interesting Narrative About State Development In Latin America.

What role does war play in political development? Our understanding of the rise of the nation-state is based heavily on the Western European experience of war. Challenging the dominance of this model, Blood and Debt looks at Latin America's much different experience as more relevant to politics today in regions as varied as the Balkans and sub-Saharan Africa.

The book's illuminating review of the relatively peaceful history of Latin America from the late eighteenth through the early twentieth centuries reveals the lack of two critical prerequisites needed for war: a political and military culture oriented toward international violence, and the state institutional capacity to carry it out. Using innovative new data such as tax receipts, naming of streets and public monuments, and conscription records, the author carefully examines how war affected the fiscal development of the state, the creation of national identity, and claims to citizenship. Rather than building nation-states and fostering democratic citizenship, he shows, war in Latin America destroyed institutions, confirmed internal divisions, and killed many without purpose or glory.

"What role does war play in political development? Our understanding of the rise of the nation-state is based heavily on the Western European experience of war. Challenging the dominance of this model, Blood and Debt looks at Latin America's much different experience as more relevant to politics today in regions as varied as the Balkans and sub-Saharan Africa."--BOOK JACKET. Our understanding of the rise of the nation-state is based heavily on the Western European experience of war. This text challenges the dominance of this model, looking at Latin America's much different experience as more relevant to politics today in regions as varied as the Balkans and Africa. Our understanding of the rise of the nation-state is based heavily on the Western European experience of war. Challenging the dominance of this model, this text looks at Latin America's much different experience as more relevant to politics today in regions as varied as the Balkans and Africa.