Military-Civil Cooperation and Politicization in the Military Ranks

Military-Civil Cooperation and Politicization in the Military Ranks

In the latest episode of the Social Science of War podcast, produced by the Department of Social Sciences at West Point, guests delved into the intricate world of civil-military relations and partisanship within the U.S. armed forces. The podcast, which is now available for email or print, can also be shared on various social media platforms for wider reach.

The conversation, guided by host Kyle Atwell, explored topics such as partisanship in the military, service members' role in public discourse, and military oversight. Notably, Samuel Huntington's concept of objective control, a model of civil-military relations, was a central focus of the discussion. The guests presented multiple critiques of this concept, emphasising the need for military leaders to be politically aware but apolitical.

Dr. Kori Schake, the director of foreign and defense policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute, joined the discussion. With her extensive experience in government positions, academic roles, and authorship of five books, including a co-edited book with General Jim Mattis titled Warriors and Citizens, she brought valuable insights to the table.

Dan Helmer, a delegate in the Virginia House of Delegates, an Army lieutenant colonel, an instructor in the Department of Social Sciences at West Point, a West Point graduate, and a University of Oxford Rhodes Scholar, also contributed to the discussion. His book, Dangerous Instrument: Political Polarization and US Civil-Military Relations, based on his PhD research at Stanford University, offered a unique perspective on the topic.

Dangerous Instrument and Warriors and Citizens, two books that offer foundational insights into civil-military relations and partisanship within the U.S. armed forces, were referenced throughout the discussion. Dangerous Instrument highlights the tension arising when the military is used by civilian leaders to pursue political objectives, cautioning against military involvement in partisan politics because it threatens civilian control and democratic governance. Warriors and Citizens, on the other hand, explores how the military shapes and is shaped by the broader society, including how military personnel develop political attitudes and engagement as both warriors and citizens.

The podcast is a valuable resource for those interested in understanding the complexities of civil-military relations in the U.S. context. As the podcast concludes its first season with Episode 10, it serves as a timely reminder of the importance of managing partisanship within the military to sustain trust and effective civil-military relations.

For more information about the Social Science of War podcast, or if you have questions, please contact Kyle Atwell. The Department of Social Sciences at West Point's website also provides additional resources on the topic.

[1] "The Vanishing Military: The Dangers of a 'Warrior Caste.'" The Atlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2018/05/the-vanishing-military/556517/ [2] "Civil-Military Relations in the United States." Council on Foreign Relations. https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/civil-military-relations-united-states [3] "The Military and Politics in the United States." The Brookings Institution. https://www.brookings.edu/research/the-military-and-politics-in-the-united-states/ [4] "The Changing Role of the Military in American Politics." The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/the-changing-role-of-the-military-in-american-politics-120486 [5] "Bridging the Civil-Military Divide: Stanford Mentorship Program Connects Military Personnel with Civilians." Stanford News. https://news.stanford.edu/2020/09/09/bridging-civil-military-divide-stanford-mentorship-program-connects-military-personnel-civilians/

1. The podcast's conversation highlighted the need for military leaders to be politically aware but apolitical, a point echoed in Samuel Huntington's concept of objective control.
2. Civil-military relations and partisanship within the U.S. armed forces was the central focus of the latest episode of the Social Science of War podcast.
3. The podcast, produced by the Department of Social Sciences at West Point, discussed topics such as military oversight, partisanship in the military, and service members' role in public discourse.
4. Dr. Kori Schake, with her extensive experience in government positions, academic roles, and authorship, brought valuable insights to the podcast discussion about civil-military relations.
5. Dan Helmer, an Army lieutenant colonel and West Point graduate, offered a unique perspective on civil-military relations in his book, Dangerous Instrument, based on his PhD research at Stanford University.
6. The podcast serves as a timely reminder of the importance of managing partisanship within the military to sustain trust and effective civil-military relations.
7. For those interested in understanding civil-military relations, resources such as The Atlantic, the Council on Foreign Relations, The Brookings Institution, The Conversation, Stanford News, and the Department of Social Sciences at West Point can provide valuable information.

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