Notes About the Idea of Generalized War in Latin America

Abstract

The concept of Generalized War, which turned out to be essential for the organization of the Doctrine of National Security which was implemented in Latin America in the last third of the 20th century, is analyzed in this paper. This concept was built from the synthesis of two previous concepts: Carl Von Clausewitz’s Absolute War and the Atomic Warfare of the Cold War. The theoretical mistakes, which are studied in the paper; the excessive valuation of the classic experts in war; and the forced interpretation of the political and social reality, justified the excesses of the National Security’s Regimes which damaged both the countries and the Armed Forces.