Professional Military Ethics: An Effective Barrier to Military Politicization in Politically Polarized Environments? A Research Note

Military ethics shape soldiers’ behavior both in war and peace. However, the relevance of ethics in defining military behaviors toward politics has received little attention recently, as several countries face renewed military interference in the political realm, particularly in Latin America. In this context, this article investigates the effectiveness of professional military ethics in preventing military politicization, with a focus on socio-politically polarized environments. It is argued that traditional military ethics are ineffective at inducing soldiers’ neutral and apolitical stance, particularly in circumstances of pressure and incentives to politicize. Through a qualitative study based on interviews with military officers and a comparative design of two cases (Chile and Brazil), the research offers a fresh perspective on the intersection of military ethics and politics. Ultimately, the findings suggest that professional military ethics are only effective in maintaining a military apolitical attitude if they incorporate relevant civic and democratic features.