Military Force: Capabilities, Command, and Control

1
Military Force Capabilities, Command, and Control

• PO 325 International Politics

2
Capabilities

• Force is a Very Important Bargaining Lever in IR
  However, Because it is Costly, Force is Normally
  Viewed as a Last Resort in International
  Bargaining

3
Capabilities

• There are Different Capabilities That Can Be
  Developed and Used For Different Ends
• Not All Capabilities Available to All States
• Not All Capabilities Applicable in All Situations
• Generally, States Develop Force Capabilities For
  Defense, Deterrence, and Compellence the Ways in
  Which States Most Often Attempt to Exercise Power
  (Based on Interest) Determines Capability Goals

4
Capabilities

• There are Two General TYPES of Capabilities
  Available To States
• Conventional
• Most Often Used (Looking at Today)
• WMD
• Very Rarely Used, But Have Been Used Credible
  Threat of Use is International Bargaining Tool

5
What Leads States to Acquire Particular
Capabilities?

• First Decision How Much Should We Spend on
  Military Capabilities Relative to Domestic
  Necessities?
• Often Determined By What Factors Are Most
  Important to States at a Given Time
  (International and Domestic Conditions and
  Threats)
• GUNS vs. BUTTER TRADEOFF What Is Spent on One
  Depletes the Other
• Short-Term Results of Focus on Guns General
  Economic Stimulation, But Neglect of Domestic
  Programs
• Long-Term Results Increases Available Military
  Leverage, But Decreases Overall Economic Health
  (Why?)

6
What Leads States to Acquire Particular
Capabilities?

• Second Decision Which Capabilities To Acquire?
  How To Get Them?
• Normally Involves Devoting Portions of GNP to
  Military Spending, But Capabilities Can Be
  Acquired in Different Ways
• Economically and Technologically Powerful
  Determine Important Defense Sectors Based on
  Interests (e.g., US and Naval Forces) and Focus
  RD There
• Less Powerful Arms Imports
• Addresses Immediate Needs, But Depletes Needed
  Capital
• Can Decrease Major Powers Advantage, But
  Incentive Exists to Export

7
Conventional Forces

• Utility and Applicability
• Armies
• Immediate Control and Defense of Territory
• Infantry, Artillery, Armor, Land Mines
• Navies
• Operate in Non-Territorial Areas Can Exercise
  Leverage (Blockade)
• Used As Power Projectors (Symbolism, Transport of
  Troops)

8
Conventional Forces

• Air Forces
• Support of Naval/Army Forces
• Aerial Bombing as Strategic Incapacitator and
  Force Balancer
• Intelligence and Logistics (Supplies, Information
  Gathering)