Robert H. Holden

The goal of this book is to examine how the halting process of state formation in Central America interacted with increasing American interference over time to produce hightened levels of violence, a side affect of what Holden calls the "globalization of public violence." My problem is that I'm left wondering whether the author is examining events with the proper focus. This is to say that he never defines "patrimonialism" to my satisfaction, and I'm left wondering how much this is simply another term for the traditional conflict between those of mostly Spanish descent with those of mostly Indian descent in the region. Perhaps I have no business calling out a sociologist for not writing a cultural analysis, but as a student of conflict resolution I'm inclined to look at cultural factors first when trying to understand long-running conflicts. This is particularly since Holden downplays ideology as a factor. That I don't rate the book lower is my way of giving the author the benefit of the doubt for my not being a better student of the region's history.… (mehr)