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Soldiers in Politics: Military Coups and Governments
When Nordlinger first wrote this book in the late 1970s, it broke much ground by treating military regimes as objects of serious, objective study, rather than subjective criticism.
224 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1976
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 12, 2022
Amazon review
It's been surpassed, but still a useful study
When Nordlinger first wrote this book in the late 1970s, it broke much ground by treating military regimes as objects of serious, objective study, rather than subjective criticism.
However, after 35 years, the book does seem dated. For one thing, Nordlinger makes many broad theoretical claims without much supporting evidence. Also, the book focuses heavily on legitimacy, which has fallen out of favor in political science.
Most disconcerting is the lax treatment of case studies. Nordlinger mentions many examples of military juntas, but doesn't really seem expert in any of them.
For example, he mentions the fact that the Burmese military stepped down from power in 1960 as evidence of the fact that military officers generally tire of civilian administration. However, unmentioned is the fact that the military retook power just 2 years later and has been in power ever since. So much for tiring of governance!
Still, for students of military regimes, this is a useful and very quick read.
Nordlinger's classifications and degrees of military regimes have proven very useful and provide a foundation for much interesting research.
Arnold
It's been surpassed, but still a useful study
When Nordlinger first wrote this book in the late 1970s, it broke much ground by treating military regimes as objects of serious, objective study, rather than subjective criticism.
However, after 35 years, the book does seem dated. For one thing, Nordlinger makes many broad theoretical claims without much supporting evidence. Also, the book focuses heavily on legitimacy, which has fallen out of favor in political science.
Most disconcerting is the lax treatment of case studies. Nordlinger mentions many examples of military juntas, but doesn't really seem expert in any of them.
For example, he mentions the fact that the Burmese military stepped down from power in 1960 as evidence of the fact that military officers generally tire of civilian administration. However, unmentioned is the fact that the military retook power just 2 years later and has been in power ever since. So much for tiring of governance!
Still, for students of military regimes, this is a useful and very quick read.
Nordlinger's classifications and degrees of military regimes have proven very useful and provide a foundation for much interesting research.
Arnold
March 4, 2021
To many common places, few ideas put in many words. Poor in information, data, factual material... nor is the interpretation extremely deep...
October 23, 2023
Read for uni - best believe it’s going on my good reads, I have a yearly reading goal to hit.
June 24, 2024
A bit too poly sci for my tastes but I feel like I know more having read it than I otherwise would have
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews