Conflict in the Southern Cone: The Argentine Military and the Boundary Dispute with Chile, 1870-1902

(Hardback)

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In examining the history of a 19th-century boundary dispute between Chile and Argentina, Dr. Rauch offers insights into the motivations and processes of governments vis--vis the rationale and support of national military power. As he shows, a military establishment brings enormous costs to developing economies, leads to the formation of military elites, and has profound implications for a geographical region. Following a discussion of Spanish colonization in the southern cone of Latin America, Rauch moves to the intercountry dispute; each country's search for allies; internal development difficulties; economic progress and military investment; internal development of the armed forces in each country; and their relative prowess, which ultimately resulted in Argentina's armed forces being the best trained and equipped in the region. Of considerable interest to scholars and researchers of Latin American, military, and developmental studies.

Reviews

"The book is at its best in its review of the rise of modern militaries in the two countries and of the evolution of their military discord....[a] very good overview of Argentine-Chilean military relations--the best of its kind in English for this period."-The Journal of Military History
The book is at its best in its review of the rise of modern militaries in the two countries and of the evolution of their military discord....[a] very good overview of Argentine-Chilean military relations--the best of its kind in English for this period.-The Journal of Military History

Author Bio

GEORGE v. RAUCH is an editor and correspondent for various magazines, including Avions, Jets, and Soldiers and Raids. Dr. Rauch has been an officer in the U.S. military.