StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

National security policymaking - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
Civil-military relations concern the relationship between the armed forces of the State and the larger society they serve, in how the relations between them are regulated.1 The U.S. military has played an important role in national security issues by functioning as an advisor;…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER98.6% of users find it useful
National security policymaking
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "National security policymaking"

National Security Policymaking Civil-military relations concern the relationship between the armed forces of the and the larger society they serve, in how the relations between them are regulated.1 The U.S. military has played an important role in national security issues by functioning as an advisor; however Schonberg2 (2002) argues that in recent years, it has assumed a dominant role in the diplomatic process, becoming the ultimate decision maker where matters such as treaties are concerned.

Feaver and Kohn (2000) note that a real gap has developed in civil-military relations, which could pose serious national security consequences for the United States. An ideal civil-military relationship is one where civil leadership provides the broad political and security objectives, while military leadership is primarily concerned with the execution of such civilian policies on the field (Elliot, 2002:2). The military institution functions on the basis of a set of values that restricts individual behavior since it emphasizes organizational success and victory in war over the elevation of personal goals.

3 However as Feaver and Kohn (2000) point out, since there is currently an absence of an urgent threat to the nation’s security, democratic society will not support an adequate military, as a result of which the military’s loyalty to civilian authority is likely to diminish. Hooker (2003-4) asserts that civilian control over the military is undisputed, since Presidential approval is required for all senior military officers and Congressional approval is mandated for all officer promotions4.

Military structure, pay and budgets are regulated by civilians, therefore civilian authority can disregard independent military advice. However, as Hooker points out, the reality is that civilian authority which attempts to force the military to do its bidding may pay a political price, since opposition parties are likely to exploit such differences of opinion, especially in war time. Besides, political leaders consistently seek affirmation from the military for their programs and policies. Military leaders are obligated to testify honestly to Congress about policy decisions affecting their service – especially those they disagree with, while simultaneously refraining from publicly exposing differences within the Administration due to the acknowledged precedence of civilian authority, which again blurs the dividing line between civil and military.

A survey conducted by Hooker5 demonstrates that the civil-military gap is widening, with the increasingly conservative military being out of step with the liberal values of civil society. A majority of military officers today believe that it is proper for the military to “insist rather than to advise” in security and policy matters, especially those concerning the use of force6. There is a growing belief among mid level officers in the military that senior leadership should stand up for the right in military policy.

As Schonberg7 also points out, there has been a growing military influence on policy making in security issues during the Clinton and Bush administrations, especially in the framing of treaties such as the CTBT, START II and the development of the Statute of the ICC. On this basis therefore, it may be concluded that the traditional military role as subservient to civilian authority is increasingly being challenged in recent times, as senior military officers become more active in strategic decision making processes which have been the province of civilian authorities.

References:* Cohen, Elliot, 2002. “Supreme Command in the 21st Century”.* Hooker, Richard D, 2003-4. “Soldiers of the State: reconsidering American Civil-Military Relations.* Feaver, Peter D and Kohn, Richard H, 2000. “The Gap: Soldiers, civilians and their mutual misunderstanding”, The National Interest.* Schonberg, Karl K, 2002. “The Generals’ Diplomacy: U.S. military influence in the Treaty Process, 1992-2000.” Sevon Hall Journal of Diplomacy and International relations, 68-86.

Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“National security policymaking Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words”, n.d.)
National security policymaking Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words. Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1542868-national-security-policymaking
(National Security Policymaking Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words)
National Security Policymaking Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words. https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1542868-national-security-policymaking.
“National Security Policymaking Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1542868-national-security-policymaking.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF National security policymaking

Modeling the Policy-Making Process

In this context, the working definition is that it is the plan or course of action taken by government to respond to a political issue or to enhance the social or political well being of society, hence, making it the end-result of policymaking.... The policymaking Process Even when confined to public policymaking, the issue of policy is still too general.... ?? Finally, the last stage of the foreign policymaking process is called the evaluation stage....
6 Pages (1500 words) Essay

The Post Cold War Period and The Attack on Pentagon

Some of the adjustments made by the intelligence community are very controversial and are seen to create more problems than solutions especially in matters of national security as the adjustments are seen to undermine the critical tool of national security.... This paper will have a deep insight into the priorities that are likely to be for intelligence collection and not necessarily for national security in the foreseeable future.... The paper is first going to look into the adjustments being made by the intelligence community to meet the dynamic demands and then look into the possible effects of the adjustments to national security....
4 Pages (1000 words) Assignment

Articles in Human Security Analysis

Human security: The Dog That Didn't Bark Introduction Considering the gamut of human rights violations, murders, health and safety threats, and unresolved political and geopolitical conflicts, it is unquestionable why human security has become one of the global concerns since the past decades.... the article written by David Chandler on the views of human security, and the article written by Taylor Owen as a response to the contentions of Chandler....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

Security Sector Reform and Weak States

This essay "security Sector Reform and the Weak States" explains briefly the concept of "security sector reform" and "weak states" and how could 'security sector reform' offer a way forward in "weak states".... hellip; The discussion in this essay is fully related to the above definition, which needs to explore concepts of security sector reforms and 'weak state'.... Additionally how these reforms would have an impact towards pushing these weak states forward The security Sector Reforms, in particular, has been thoroughly defined by the United Nation International Research and Training Institute for the Women Advancement....
8 Pages (2000 words) Essay

Critical Interpretation of Contemporary American History

The same ideas are expressed by Sundhaussen (1998) and Welch (2004) who state that militarization of society bring the American nation more 'sorrows and grievances' then security and peace.... While it is clear that security interests have always loomed large in the shaping of U.... The concept of security is eminently elastic....
7 Pages (1750 words) Essay

Security Sector Reform

In the general sense, security is a concept similar to safety.... Individuals or actions that encroach upon the… In the paper “security Sector Reform” the author briefly explains the concept of 'security sector reform' and 'weak states'.... In the general sense, security is a concept similar to safety.... The security Sector Reforms, in particular, has been thoroughly defined by the United Nation International Research and Training Institute for the Women Advancement....
8 Pages (2000 words) Assignment

Faults in U.S. Intelligence Operations Carried over from Persian Gulf War I to Persian Gulf War II

nbsp;… Intelligence department plays a major role with regard to the provision of vital information that may help country strategize in time and combat any security threat.... Provision of timely and accurate information is important because it may help a country prepare in terms of defense and put in place the necessary resource needed to prevent any security threat.... ntelligence department plays a major role with regard to the provision of vital information that may help country strategize in time and combat any security threat5....
5 Pages (1250 words) Assignment

President as a Dominant Force in Foreign Policymaking

The assignment "President as a Dominant Force in Foreign policymaking" outlines the view on the presidential role in the US foreign policymaking.... hellip; The President is the dominant force in foreign policymaking in the United States.... Ordinarily, the constitution has divided the foreign policy powers between the President and the congress and both the legislature and executive plays overlapping and different roles in foreign policymaking....
8 Pages (2000 words) Assignment
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us