ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a brief historical overview of the three cases studies. It provides the necessary background to understand the consequences of state and terrorist violence on democratic stability. Specifically, acceptable forms of authority, historical precedent of violence, prior role of the military, violent groups and economic crisis are explored in the cases of Uruguay, Peru and Spain. Uruguay, Peru and Spain experienced similar national problems but under different circumstances and with different outcomes. Uruguay had a long history of cooperation between its main political parties. Its democracy had been stable for decades. Its military did not have a history of intervention. Each historical outcome is surprising in its own way. It is shocking that Uruguayan citizens, with their well-developed democratic traditions, did not protest the military intervention. Although the Peruvian instability may not be surprising due to the history of extreme instability, the strong support Fujimori received puzzles many analysts.
