This comprehensive work on security in the English-speaking Caribbean; offers a wealth of information about the history; politics; economics and geography of the entire region. The author examines security problems in the region as a geopolitical unit; not on a selective case-study basis; as is usually done. He assesses Caribbean security within a theoretical framework where four factors are critical: perceptions of the political elites; capabilities of the states; the geopolitics of the area; and the ideological orientations of the parties in power. Political and economic issues are judged to be as relevant to security as military factors. The author identifies safeguards which countries in the region may take in the coming decade.
#152798 in Books Signature Books 1997-01-15Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.25 x 2.30 x 6.25l; 3.13 #File Name: 1560850604960 pages
Review
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. THE SECOND VOLUME OF QUINN'S ENGAGING (IF CONTROVERSIAL) HISTORYBy Steven H ProppDennis Michael Quinn (born 1944) is a historian who has focused on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. From 1976 he was a professor at Brigham Young University; until he resigned in 1988. He is one of the "September Six" Mormons who were excommunicated or disfellowshipped in September 1993 for speaking against Church doctrine and leadership. He is also controversial for his sexual orientation (see his book Same-Sex Dynamics among Nineteenth-Century Americans: A MORMON EXAMPLE.)He writes in the Preface to this 1997 book; "I have tried to be true to the spirit of candor I found in the spoken and written records of the Mormon hierarchy. This study ... also examines the evidence of historical process and institutional change over time; rather than selecting evidence to reinforce current definitions and policies. That single-minded determination on my part led to conflicts with LDS leaders. I am now a believer outside the church for which I still have affection and fond hopes."Here are some more quotations from the book:"Harmony and unanimity became so important to the twentieth-century hierarchy that some authorities have even assented to what they regarded as violations of God's will." (Pg. 13)"The presiding quorums have sometimes tailored their minutes to fulfill the requirement of unanimous voting." (Pg. 19)"Despite such conflicts; church leaders regard the final result of their deliberations as revelation." (Pg. 20)"(I)n July (1946) the hierarchy was stunned to learn that Patriarch Joseph F. Smith was homosexual. Publicly they cited 'ill health' as reason for his resignation and released him..." (Pg. 128)"(B.H. Roberts') alcoholism continued to strain his relationships with fellow general authorities; and in 1901 Roberts confessed to the First Council 'as to his violation of the word of wisdom.'" (Pg. 145)"Under such circumstances the Mormon hierarchy bore full responsibility for the violent acts of zealous Mormon(s) who accepted their instructions literally and carried out various forms of blood atonment." (Pg. 256)"Although affirming that they act as private citizens when urging political positions; general authorities expect to be treated differently than private citizens in the political arena." (Pg. 371)5 of 7 people found the following review helpful. Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of PowerBy BobdogThe used copy I received was in very good condition with a clear plastic cover installed by the library where it was originally acquired.Professor Quinn's work is amazing and highly valuable. He has accumulated source material over a 20-30 year period from sources now closed to outside historians; as well as from other sources found through a historian's hard rock mining. The result is a detailed history of the organization and insitutional life of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints into modern times. Although he might have reason to be; given his excommunication from the Church; he is not antagonistic to the Church or voyeuristic. He is professional.His earlier volume in this two volume work is equally valuable as a historical resource and interesting read.One thing missing is a Bushman-esque commentary placing some of the facts in historical and cultural context. Quinn leaves to the reader whether to accept the facts as largely explainable by a different culture and time or as continuing evidence of fallible man's involvement in God's work.9 of 12 people found the following review helpful. I bet you didn't learn this in Sunday SchoolBy Ashtar CommandD. Michael Quinn is a dissident Mormon who has authored or edited several books on the history of the Mormon (LDS) Church. Naturally; they stray quite extensively from official Mormon hagiography. Quinn's best known work is probably "Early Mormonism and the Magic World View"; but his other books are equally worth delving into."The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power" is the second volume of a two-volume series. The first is subtitled "Origins of Power".The book is really a collection of essays on various controversial topics of Mormon history. Half of the book consists of appendices; footnotes and references. One of the essays deals with the controversies surrounding Ezra Taft Benson and his support for the extremist John Birch Society. Another essay describes the successful Mormon campaign to stop ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA).Quinn has also included an extensive discussion of 19th century Mormonism in Utah. He reaches the surprising conclusion that the secretive; theocratic Council of Fifty played only a minor role. Despite this; Mormon Utah clearly was a theocracy. Not without some irony; the author describes how LDS-approved candidates in Utah elections would get 99% of the votes; and never less than 95%. For a period; the Mormon-controlled "People's Party" didn't even have a central committee; but was controlled directly by Church authorities! Please note the names "people's party" and "central committee" and the 99% election results. Are we talking Utah or Estonia in 1940?Appendix 5 is easily the most interesting part of the entire volume; a veritable treasure trove of downright bizarre information on Mormonism you won't learn from those clean-cut LDS missionaries. The "elders" probably don't even know about it! Thus; we learn that the famous Miracle of the Seagulls wasn't considered particularly miraculous when it first happened. Brigham Young prohibited Mormons from digging gold in Utah only to send a Mormon group to California to do precisely that. Sodomy was legal in Utah from 1852 to 1876. Young prohibited Blacks from entering the priesthood; but nevertheless invited Elijah Abel to a social event in Salt Lake City. Abel was an African-American who had been ordained by Joseph Smith! Young also denied the virgin birth; claiming that God had a physical body and had a carnal relation with Mary. In 1857; Young allowed a polyandrous relationship and preached in favour of marriage between siblings. One of his apostles said that Muhammad might have been a true prophet! And so on...More shocking is the trail of violence; murder and mayhem that characterized Utah during the rule of Mormon theocrats. The Mountain Meadows Massacre is the most well known instance; but it seems that "blood atonements"; decapitations and castrations were the order of the day; Brigham Young not being wholly innocent of stirring things up. Of course; the Wild West was a brutal place in those days; and the problem isn't so much that this or that horse thief was summarily dealt with. The problem; of course; is the religious-theocratic dimension; as when the Mormons and the federal authorities together attacked the Morrisites; or when Mormon dissidents were attacked; or when "loose" women were found decapitated; etc."The Mormon Hierarchy" is more forthright than Leonard Arrington's bland work "Brigham Young: American Moses". Arrington; of course; is The Living Prophet's Loyal Opposition. Quinn; it seems; is something else again.The only criticism I have of this book is that Quinn's style of writing frequently gets dry; tedious and over-detailed. Still; I cannot recommend this volume high enough.Five stars.
