Civilian Military Control

Civilian Military Control

 In this discussion, you will discuss issues related to civilian control of the military forces of the United States.

To complete this graded discussion, create a new thread with a 250-word response that addresses the following points:

• What are “civil-military relations”?
• Why did the Founding Fathers place the military under civilian control?
• Warfare is far more complex and technical today than it was at the time that the Constitution was written. Discuss whether full civilian control of the military is in the best interests of the United States.
• Identify a potential conflict that may arise from civilian control of the military, then explain why this example is useful to U.S. national security or why it should be changed.

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APA

Civil-military relations refer to the interaction and balance of power between civilian government authorities and military institutions. It encompasses how civilian leaders make decisions about military policy, strategy, and the use of armed forces, while military leaders advise and implement those policies. Civilian control of the military ensures that military power remains subordinate to elected civilian officials, thus preserving democratic principles and preventing military rule.

The Founding Fathers of the United States placed the military under civilian control to avoid the rise of a military dictatorship, as had occurred in European monarchies. By making the military subordinate to elected officials, they intended to ensure that military actions and decisions reflected the will of the people and adhered to democratic principles. The Constitution’s separation of powers is central to this system, with the President as Commander-in-Chief, but Congress holding the power to declare war and fund military operations (U.S. Constitution, Art. I, §8; Art. II, §2).

However, warfare today is far more complex, involving advanced technology and strategic considerations that require expertise and specialized knowledge. This raises the question of whether full civilian control remains in the best interests of the United States. While civilians may not possess the same technical expertise as military leaders, civilian oversight ensures democratic accountability.

A potential conflict could arise when civilian leaders make decisions based on political motives rather than military expertise, such as prematurely escalating a conflict. This could harm national security if military leaders are unable to act based on strategic considerations. However, a system of oversight and collaboration between civilian and military leaders ensures that the nation’s defense remains both effective and accountable.

References
Feaver, P. D. (2003). Armed Servants: Agency, Oversight, and Civil-Military Relations. Harvard University Press.
U.S. Constitution. (n.d.). Article I, Section 8; Article II, Section 2.