Civilian Control of the Military: The Changing Security Environment
Type
Book
Authors
ISBN 10
0801866391
Category
POLITICAL SCIENCE-Relationship of States to other organised Groupsg
[ Browse Items ]
Publication Year
1999
Publisher
Pages
184
Subject
Civil supremacy over the military; Civil-military relations;
Tags
Abstract
The end of the Cold War brought widespread optimism about the future of civil-military relations. With a declining need for military preparedness, it seemed, civilian authorities would be better able to exert control over military policies and decision making. But, argues Michael Desch in this volume, the truth is precisely the opposite. In war-time, he explains, civil authorities cannot help paying close attention to military matters. In times of peace, however, the civilian sector is less interested in military affairs - and therefore leaves them to the military. Focusing on a range of times and places, Desch begins with a look at changes in US civil-military relations since the end of the Cold War. He then turns to the former Soviet Union, explaining why it was easier for civilians to control the Soviet military than its present-day Russian successor. He examines the Hindenburg-Ludendorff dictatorship in World War I Germany, Japan during the interwar era, and the French role in the Algerian crisis. Finally, he explores the changing domestic security environment and civil-military relations in southern Latin America.
Description
The end of the Cold War brought widespread optimism about the future of civil-military relations. But as Michael Desch argues in this thought-provoking challenge to Harold Lasswell's famous "garrison state" thesis, the truth is that civilian authorities have not been able to exert greater control over military policies and decision making. In wartime, civil authorities cannot help but pay close attention to military matters. In times of peace, however, civilian leaders are less interested in military affairs―and therefore often surrender them to the military.Focusing on a wide range of times and places, Desch begins with a look at changes in U.S. civil-military relations since the end of the Cold War. He then turns to the former Soviet Union, explaining why it was easier for civilians to control the Soviet military than its present-day Russian successor. He examines the Hindenburg-Ludendorff dictatorship in World War I Germany, Japan during the interwar era, and France's role in the Algerian crisis. Finally, he explores the changing domestic security environment and civil-military relations in South America. - from Amzon
Biblio Notes
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Introduction............................................................................. p.1
Chapter 2 Civilian Control of the Military in Different Threat Environments...... P. 8
Chapter 3 Losing Control? Civil-Military Relations in the United States during and after the Cold War .................................................................................. P. 22
Chapter 4 Controlling Chaos: Civilian Control of the Soviet and Russian Militaries ............................................................................................................. P.39
Chapter 5 The Anger of the Legions: The Hindenburg-Ludendorff Dictatorship, The Algerian Crisis, and Interwar Japan ............................................................ P.67
Chapter 6 Twilight of the Generals? Domestic Security and Civil-Military Relations in Southern Latin America ..........................................................................P.97
Chapter 7 What the Future Holds ........................................................... P. 114
Chapter 1 Introduction............................................................................. p.1
Chapter 2 Civilian Control of the Military in Different Threat Environments...... P. 8
Chapter 3 Losing Control? Civil-Military Relations in the United States during and after the Cold War .................................................................................. P. 22
Chapter 4 Controlling Chaos: Civilian Control of the Soviet and Russian Militaries ............................................................................................................. P.39
Chapter 5 The Anger of the Legions: The Hindenburg-Ludendorff Dictatorship, The Algerian Crisis, and Interwar Japan ............................................................ P.67
Chapter 6 Twilight of the Generals? Domestic Security and Civil-Military Relations in Southern Latin America ..........................................................................P.97
Chapter 7 What the Future Holds ........................................................... P. 114
Number of Copies
1
