ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the nature of Dominican armed forces, in the context of the political system of which they were a part, during Balagueros presidency. The Dominican armed forces were the single most important political actor except for President Balaguer himself. Dominican armed forces and national police emphasized civic action. Most civic action projects were paternalistic and symbolic gestures, aimed at gaining publicity for the armed forces and central government more than building the nation or alleviating poverty. The most important functions of the armed forces and police were as participants in the competition for political power. Contemporary civil military relations in the Dominican Republic have been greatly influenced by the nation’s historical legacy. The Dominican political system was characterized by presidential dominance, personalism, violence, chronic fragmentation, constantly shifting alliances, and endemic intrigue. Violence was an integral part of the political system under Balaguer.
