The Militarization of Internal Security and Its Consequences for Democracy: A Comparison Between Brazil, Mexico and Colombia

The paper presents a critical assessment of the conception of democracy in regimes that have formerly passed through democratization process and the new role played by military and police. The literature on Democracy assert that must regimes in Latin America have returned or built a new democracy, notwithstanding the fact that Rule of Law is still not implemented. The main question on the paper will be whether military presence on public security issues will allow them to successfully fight crime and at the same time implement the Rule of Law. The paper makes also an assessment of the need to revise the role of police impunity and the militarization of police as a new impediment to the democratization process.