Daniel K. Blewett

Restructuring and Reform: Business Development Opportunities in Military Industry Conversion to Civilian Markets: U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs; United Nations, New York, 1999, 346 pages, UN Sales No. E.99.II.H.2, LCCN 98-38587, ISBN 92-1-123129-9, (US

Although similarities and relationships between what is occurring in Europe and the United States certainly do exist, arguments for military “conversion” that are applicable in the North are less so for countries in South America. The concept “conversion” itself implies a rational orienting of the defence sector towards a lower level of “equilibrium.” And this ordered change is just what is lacking in the region and in the two countries directly studied, most especially in Argentina. This is made evident both politically, militarily and economically. In both countries (as in the region) though for different reasons, an overarching integrated government defence policy is absent. The South American context * Reprinted from N.P. Gleditsch, et.al., The Peace Dividend, 1996, pages 403-423, with permission from Elsevier Science. In the 20th century South America has experienced repeated military intervention in politics but comparatively few wars. At the same time the continent is a checkerboard of low-level tensions (at times exploding into wars, as in the case of Peru/ Ecuador in 1995) which