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MSFS-542 Civil-Military Relations
Fall only
This course explores the origins and consequences of civil-military principles and institutions. However, this course is not limited to the US examples and cases. We will also take a comparative approach, studying the civil-military relationship in other nations.
Civil-Military relations used to be simple. Kings and Czars rode at the head of their armies—civilian leaders and military leaders were one in the same. All that began to change more than 400 years ago as nations altered both the nature of their political system and the nature of their militaries. Those in uniform took up arms to serve nations and ideals rather than monarchs. Professional militaries emerged and officers were chosen for more than just their royal bloodline.
Civil-Military relations in the democracies are a product of that political evolution. However, even among democracies, the US traditions and institutions are unique. There has been remarkable consistency in US Civil-Military relations, whether in time of war or in time of peace. Even during the American Civil War, both the positive and problematic aspects of Civil-Military relations altered very little.
Despite this consistency and the clear link to broader American principles and beliefs, there are a number of very persistent myths about American Civil-Military relations completely at odds with reality. Some are disruptive and detrimental to effective governance and national security. Some even seem necessary for the survival of the system they misrepresent. Periodic political crises bring questions of Civil-Military relations to public attention. The past two decades have seen debates over partisan activity by retired officers, military over dominance of national security strategy formulation, civilian refusal to seek or accept advice from senior military leaders, military defiance of civilian directives on social policy, and civilian political leaders using uniformed troops as partisan backdrops.
Course requirements include (1) civil-military study: An overview of the military and the civil-military relationship in a specific country, (2) media/culture review and analysis: An overview of some aspect on mass media and /or popular culture providing insight into some aspect of civil-military relations, (3)research paper: An independent research paper 8-10 pages in length on some aspect of civil-military relations. Topics will be selected in consultation with the instructor. A portion of the grade is for in-class presentation and discussion of a formal research topic proposal. Details of all requirements will be given in additional memos.
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: None
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