Peacekeeping and civil-military relations in Uruguay

Abstract

Small and developing nations like Uruguay tend to be the ones that contribute the most troops to peacekeeping missions. For instance, Katherine Worboys has argued that peacekeeping missions are a useful tool for civilians in their quest to achieve civilian control of the military and balanced civil-military relations. However, sources in the literature factor in issues of second-generation control, nor the civilianization and professionalization of civilians in ministries of defense. Uruguay has historically had few military interventions in politics and has been governed by democratic regimes for most of its history. In doing so, various scholars are ignoring other vital dimensions of CMR that are equally important, namely second-generation civilian control, military effectiveness, and societal trust in the armed forces. Although the United Nations offers increased salaries and funding for new equipment for those engaged in peacekeeping operations, this funding is used to replace or refurbish rather than add new material capabilities.