Fragile states in the Americas / edited by Jonathan D. Rosen and Hanna S. Kassab.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Rosen, Jonathan D., editor.

Kassab, Hanna Samir, 1984- editor.

Series:

Security in the Americas in the twenty-first century

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Political stability--America.

Political stability.

Security, International--America.

Security, International.

America.

Physical Description:

xx, 356 pages ; 24 cm.

Place of Publication:

Lanham : Lexington Books, [2017]

Summary:

The Americas face many security challenges, including drug trafficking, organized crime, guerrilla movements, terrorism, and environmental challenges. Experts have long debated whether some countries in the region can be classified as failed states. While various states in the Americas have been labeled as failed states, calling a country a failed state is quite controversial and requires a precise definition of what constitutes a failed state. This book instead discusses fragile states in the Americas. Fragile states are weak states that are fertile grounds for organized crime groups and illegal actors as such groups are able to infiltrate the state apparatus through corruption. The goal of this book is to examine fragile states in the region and the major security challenges that these states face. The cause of state fragility is different for various states. Theoretically, the work will conceptualize the meaning of fragility as it relates to state survival and autonomy. Empirically, the book focuses on contemporary threats to the survival of fragile states in the Americas. The book explains and analyzes the main political, security, and economic challenges of these states. It employs a wide array of cases that delve into the security and economic threats and priorities of states in the Americas.

Contents:

Part I Mexico and Central America 1

1 Mexico's Security Upheaval / Paul Rexton Kan Kan, Paul Rexton 3

2 An Ominous Future: Narco-Violence in Mexico from 2006-2016 / Roberto Zepeda Martínez Martínez, Roberto Zepeda, Jonathan D. Rosen Rosen, Jonathan D. 19

3 Will the Rebellion for the Rule of Law Prevail in Guatemala? / Adriana Beltrán Beltrán, Adriana 37

4 The Cost of Failed Leadership: Corruption and Conflict in Honduras / Randy Pestana Pestana, Randy 61

5 Where Murder Is Easy: The Fragile Stale of El Salvador's Liberalism / Bradford R. McGuinn McGuinn, Bradford R. 79

Part II South America 103

6 Progress and Backsliding: State Fragilities and Colombia's Post-Conflict Transition / Adam Isacson Isacson, Adam 105

7 The Peruvian Perfect Storm: State Fragility, Corruption, and Organized Crime / Lucia Dammert Dammert, Lucia 129

8 Triple Threat: Political, Economic, and Security Fragility in Venezuela / Emily D. Bello-Pardo Bello-Pardo, Emily D., Christine Zaino Zaino, Christine 145

9 The Ungovernable State: Bolivia in the Age of Morales / Marten Brienen Brienen, Marten 185

10 Weak States and Security Challenges: The Case of Guyana / Mark Kirton Kirton, Mark, Marion Anatol Anatol, Marion 205

11 Brazil: An Intermediate State with a Fragile Democratic Regime / John Twichell Twichell, John 221

Part III Caribbean 239

12 Haiti: Fragile State or Failed Nation? / Chrlsta L. Remington Remington, Chrlsta L., Jean-Claude Garcia-Zamor Garcia-Zamor, Jean-Claude 241

13 An Assessment of Trinidad and Tobago as a Fragile State / Dianne Williams Williams, Dianne 259

Part IV U.S. Policy and a Comparative Study 277

14 The Obama Administration's Foreign Policy Challenges in the Americas / Ted Galen Carpenter Carpenter, Ted Galen 279

15 United States Defense Policy in Latin America and the Caribbean / Eric L. Golnick Golnick, Eric L. 301

16 Latin America and Lebanon: A Comparative Study of Fragility / Hanna S. Kassab Kassab, Hanna S. 323.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Other Format:

Online version: Fragile states in the Americas

ISBN:

9781498543569

1498543561

OCLC:

962171709