Civilian Control of the Military

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Civilian Control of the Military
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How do we achieve the delicate balance between
liberty and security?
3
Overview

• Democracy
• What is it?
• Military
• Civil-Military relationships
• Three Contexts
• European, Colonial African, American
• Conclusions

4
Samples of Behavior

• Describe how the US was able to continue its
  commitment to civilian control prior to the 20th
  century
• Describe the factors, events, and influences on
  civil-military relations the US experienced
  during the 20th century
• Describe the criteria that govern civil-military
  relations in democratic states, according to
  Louis Smith
• Distinguish the different roles the President and
  the legislative branch of the US have in
  civil-military relations under the US Constitution

5
Democracy

• Government by the people Supreme power vested
  in the people exercised either directly, or
  indirectly through a system of delegated
  authority in which people choose their
  representatives in free elections.

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The Key to Democracies

• Supreme power vested in the people
• People create government to protect existing
  human rights
• Government does not give people their
  rights--government is instituted to protect
  rights which already exist!

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Traits

• Acceptance for minorities
• Freedom of expression/of the press
• Respect for the dignity of the individual

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The end for which a soldier is recruited,
clothed, armed, and trained, the whole object of
his sleeping, eating, drinking and marching, is
simply that he should fight at the right place
and the right time.
Carl von Clausewitz, 1831
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War is a continuation of political activity by
other means
Carl von Clausewitz, 1831
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Wars Dual Nature

• Autonomous activity in/of itself
• Its what we do!
• has its own set of principles--grammar
• Subordinate political instrument
• Does not have its own logic/purpose
• We have to be told the right place and time
• Most importantly the right reason

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War

• It has no meaning in itself
• At one level war can be an autonomous collection
  of complex parts (battles, campaigns, operations)
• The meaning is derived from some external logic
  or purpose

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How do Democracies and Militaries Interact?

• We must look to the people for the reason for war
• Articulation of purpose
• Definition of war
• Limits of war

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Accountability

• Military officers have to be responsible for
  using the tool (military) in the way the
  government/people wish.

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Society must trust us!

• Military professionals are commissioned to use
  violence on societys behalf--never on their own
  behalf!
• Subordinate nature
• Inherent in Constitution
• Balancing liberty and security

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Examples

• European
• Colonial African
• American

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Western European Example

• 19th century Napoleonic law articulated a theory
  for controlling a states coercive powers.
• La Force Publique

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La Force Publique
Collection of individual forces organized by the
constitution to maintain rights of all and assure
execution of the general will.
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Important Distinctions

• Separated interior and exterior security
• Interior functions were for the police
• Exterior functions were the Armys
  responsibilities
• Established two distinct lines of authority

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La Force Publique

• The democratic state represented the basis for
  and regulator of the states coercive instruments

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Colonial African Example

• The colonial state in Africa was artificial
• Lacked shared values and general will
• Distinction between interior and exterior
  security functions was erased--the interior had
  to be conquered

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Colonial African Example

• Colonial armed forces for police
• Undermined legitimacy which lead to a lack of
  accountability

22
American Example

• 1787 Constitutional Convention reluctance to
  having a standing army
• Military protection from external threats
• How to provide for defense without endangering
  liberty

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How to Control Armed Forces

• Constitution
• Bicameral legislature
• Responsibility to the states

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Oath

• Remember our allegiance is to the Constitution,
  not to a political party or an individual.

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So......internal security functions conducted by
the military should be avoided?
Have they happened?
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Internal Security Functions

• 1794 - Whiskey Rebellion
• 19th Century - in matters dealing with slavery
• 1957 - Integration of public schools

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American Internal Intervention

• The President determines when to use federal
  troops
• Use of force is to restore order
• Military is not the final answer
• Generally restored order with a minimum of
  bloodshed

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Intervention Effectiveness

• Decision is always a civilian one
• Meant to protect property and life
• Never a substitute military for civilian law

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Conclusions

• Same basic value system
• Subordinate nature of military
• Accountability
• Trust of society
• Solicit and maintain that trust
• Separate interior and exterior functions

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Summary

• Democracy
• Government by the people with supreme power
  vested in them
• Military
• Dual nature
• Examples
• European--La Force Publique
• Colonial African--Internal/External
  Accountability
• American--Oath to Constitution

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Summary

• Conclusions
• Value system
• Subordinate nature
• Trust

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All force is dangerous and a menace if it is not
answerable a will is required to govern the
force publique and this will must be separated
from it when the force can act independently it
becomes everything...the army must be
accountable action and accountability are what
characterize the solidly grounded force
publique.
1791 French Penal Code
Your responsibility!