Political and Military Sociology, an Annual Review - Volume 44, Democracy, Security, and Armed Forces

The latest volume of the Political and Military Sociology annual review features empirical research on topics that focus on security, military training, culture, and the challenges of bureaucracy, law, and violence in democracies. The articles cover an impressive geographic range from Europe to Africa and to the Middle East.Two essays address threats to democratic polities by corrupt governmental and legal institutions and by electoral violence and intimidation. The first argues that a culture of "dualism" in Greece helps produce problems. The second analyzes the power of military student fraternities in Nigeria, arguing that democracy is threatened by these organizations.Two contributors then address the security and military challenges in Iraq. The first argues that successful military advisors must play dual roles as both peacekeeper-diplomats and warriors. The second poses that Iraqi government policies privileging the Shia population have alienated other groups—and helped support for groups such as ISIS. The final essay analyzes the acculturation of new soldiers to Zimbabwean military life through the training experiences of recruits.The volume also includes reviews of recent books on military and security matters.Table of ContentContentsVolume 44, 2016IntroductionJonathan Swarts and Neovi M. KarakatsanisIn Memoriam: George A. KourvetarisCultural Attributes and Legal "No-Man's-Land" in Greece Constantine P. DanopoulosViolent Fraternities and Garrison Politics in Nigeria's Fourth Republic: Lessons from the "University of the South" Ifeanyi Ezeonu Defining Success in the Military Advising Mission Remi M. HajjarThe Privatization of Civil-Security Sector Relations and the Struggle for Public Security in Iraq Andreas Krieg On Entering the Military Organization: Decivilianization, Depersonalization, Order, and Command in the Zimbabwe National Army Godfrey MaringiraBook ReviewsTalking about Torture: How Political Discourse Shapes the Debate Reviewed by Stephanie AtheyWaging War, Planning Peace: U.S. Noncombat Operations and Major Wars Reviewed by Liam CollinsThe Markets for Force: Privatization of Security Across World Regions Reviewed by Renee de Nevers Conscientious Objectors in Israel: Citizenship, Sacrifice, Trials of Fealty Reviewed by Dan Lainer-VosGeneration Vet: Composition, Student-Veterans,and the Post-9/11 University Reviewed by Lisa Lebdusksa The American Way of Bombing: Changing Ethical and Legal Norms, From Flying Fortresses to Drones Reviewed by Valerie MorkeviiusIn This IssueBiographical NoteNeovi M. Karakatsanis is professor of political science at Indiana University South Bend. Her work has appeared in Armed Forces and Society, Journal of Balkan and Near Eastern Studies, and Mediterranean Quarterly. Jonathan Swarts is associate professor of political science at Purdue University North Central. He is the author of Constructing Neoliberalism.