Dispute over Natural Resources: Militarization and Armed Forces in Mexico

Authors

Aleida Azamar-Alonso
Research Professor at the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana - Xochimilco, Coyoacán, Distrito Federal, MX
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7915-7611

Keywords:

dispute over natural resources, militarization and armed forces, Mexico

Synopsis

In the 1980s, Latin America began transitioning from military governments to representative democracies in 15 countries. This process, though diverse in its execution, did not eliminate military influence, which remains evident in many areas of governance.

The persistent violence in the region has led several countries to militarize public security, using military forces to confront organized crime, which has surpassed the capacity of police forces. This process of militarization has weakened democratic institutions and exacerbated violence, complicating the consolidation of democracy.

The economic crisis of the 1980s and globalization created new opportunities for organized crime, increasing violence and cooperation between these groups and security forces. In countries like Mexico, the "war on drugs" has exemplified how militarization, rather than reducing violence, has intensified the conflict.

In summary, the militarization of public security in Latin America has been a response to growing violence, but it has had the effect of undermining democratic progress in the region.

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Author Biography

Aleida Azamar-Alonso, Research Professor at the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana - Xochimilco, Coyoacán, Distrito Federal, MX
 President of the Mesoamerican and Caribbean Society for Ecological Economics. Coordinator of the Master's Program in Sustainable Societies at the Metropolitan Autonomous University, Mexico. Research areas: Political economy, ecological economics, extractivism, mining, energy, lithium, ecofeminism

References

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Azamar Alonso, A. (2020). Extractivismo militarista en América Latina. En G. Günther y M. Meireles (coords.). Voces latinoamericanas. Mer- cantilización de la naturaleza y resistencia social (129-147). https:// www.researchgate.net/publication/345316717_Extractivismo_ militarista_en_America_Latina

Azamar Alonso, A. y Azamar Alonso, A. (2016). Las promesas del extracti- vismo en América Latina: Luces y sombras. En J. Carrillo Nieto, F. Escárzaga y G. Günter (coords.). Ascenso y crisis de los gobiernos pro- gresistas Latinoamericanos (31-62). Editorial Ítaca/Universidad Au- tónoma Metropolitana. https://casadelibrosabiertos.uam.mx/gpd- gobiernos-progresistas-latinoamericanos-los.html

Barrachina, C. y Hernández, J. (2012). Reformas del Sistema Nacional de Seguridad Pública en México (2006-2011). Urvio: Revista Lati- noamericana de Estudios en Seguridad Ciudadana, (11), 79-92. https:// www.redalyc.org/pdf/5526/552656551007.pdf

Bergman, M. (2018). More Money, More Crime: Prosperity and Rising Crime in Latin America. Oxford University Press.

Coyne, C. y Hall, A. (2018). Tyranny Comes Home. The Domestic Fate of U.S. Militarism. Stanford University Press.

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Published

February 7, 2023

Details about this monograph

ISBN-13 (15)

978-607-28-2893-3

doi

10.55965/abib.9786072828933