Social Forces and the Revolution in Military Affairs : The Cases of Colombia and Mexico

In this book, Rochlin applies Revolution in Military Affairs theories to explain the various strategic victories and losses for assorted social forces in Colombia and Mexico. These countries form the ideal comparative case study, with Colombia as an example for RMA from above by the state, while Mexico demonstrates RMA from below by civil society. The Revolution in Military Affairs (RMA) entails a sweeping redefinition of the field of strategic studies, one that rhymes with sea changes experienced in a wide domain of other realms. The RMA can be viewed as a synergetic bundle of concepts that is marked by technological change, social-reorganization, and sometimes by a new system of thought, among other features. It is this synergy between various components of the RMA that has underpinned the strategic victories and losses for assorted social forces in Colombia and Mexico, and which best explains the transformation of security themes in both countries. While the RMA is usually discussed in relation to Middle Eastern politics or to the military adventures of "great powers," this endeavor veers off the beaten track to examine the manifestations of the Revolution in Military Affairs in two of the most strategically important countries in Latin America "The Revolution in Military Affairs (RMA) entails a sweeping redefinition of the field of strategic studies, one that rhymes with sea changes experienced in a wide domain of other realms. While the RMA is usually discussed in relation to Middle Eastern politics or to the military adventures of "great powers," this endeavor veers off the beaten track to examine the manifestations of the Revolution in Military Affairs in two of the most strategically important countries in Latin America."--BOOK JACKET Historical Aspects Of Colombia's Strategic Landscape -- Plan Colombia -- Colombia And The Privatization Of Warfare -- Historical Aspects Of Mexico's Strategic Landscape -- Fight Or Flight : Insurgency And Migration, Surveillance And Complexity -- Economic Dimensions Of The Rma : Privatized War, Neoliberal Strategy, And Public Resistance. James F. Rochlin. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [215]-232) And Index. Front Matter....Pages i-xi Introduction....Pages 1-19 Historical Aspects of Colombia’s Strategic Landscape....Pages 21-42 Plan Colombia....Pages 43-61 Colombia and the Privatization of Warfare....Pages 63-92 Historical Aspects of Mexico’s Strategic Landscape....Pages 93-111 Fight or Flight....Pages 113-137 Economic Dimensions of the RMA....Pages 139-168 Conclusion....Pages 169-184 Back Matter....Pages 185-240 This book applies Revolution in Military Affairs theories to explain the various strategic victories and losses for assorted social forces in Colombia and Mexico. These countries form the ideal comparative case study of RMA, both from above by the state, and below by civil society.