Civilian Control of the Military: The Changing Security Environment

Description

The end of the Cold War brought widespread optimism about the future of civil-military relations. But as Michael Desch argues in this though t-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. Contents List of Figures and Tables Acknowledgments Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: Civilian Control of the Military in Different Threat Environments Chapter 3: Losing Control? Civil-Military Relations in the United States during and after the Cold War Chapter 4: Controlling Chaos: Civilian Control of the Soviet and Russian Militaries Chapter 5: The Anger of the Legions: The Hindenburg-Ludendorff Dictatorship, the Algerian Crisis, and Interwar Japan Chapter 6: Twilight of the Generals? Domestic Security and Civil-Military Relations in Southern Latin America Chapter 7: What the future Holds Appendix: Major U.S. Civil-Military Conflicts, 1938-1997 Notes Index