Civilian Control of the Military

2 How do we achieve the delicate balance between liberty and security?

3 Overview  Democracy What is it?What is it?  Military  Civil-Military relationships  Three Contexts European, Colonial African, AmericanEuropean, Colonial African, American  Conclusions

4 Samples of Behavior  Describe how the US was able to continue its commitment to civilian control prior to the 20 th century  Describe the factors, events, and influences on civil-military relations the US experienced during the 20 th 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.

6 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!

7 Traits  Acceptance for minorities  Freedom of expression/of the press  Respect for the dignity of the individual

8 “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

9 War is a continuation of political activity by other means Carl von Clausewitz, 1831

10 War’s Dual Nature  Autonomous activity in/of itself It’s what we do!It’s what we do! has its own set of principles--grammarhas its own set of principles--grammar  Subordinate political instrument Does not have its own logic/purposeDoes not have its own logic/purpose We have to be told the right place and timeWe have to be told the right place and time Most importantly the right reasonMost importantly the right reason

11 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

12 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

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

14 Society must trust us!  Military professionals are commissioned to use violence on society’s behalf--never on their own behalf! Subordinate natureSubordinate nature Inherent in ConstitutionInherent in Constitution Balancing liberty and securityBalancing liberty and security

15 Examples European European Colonial African Colonial African American American

16 Western European Example  19th century Napoleonic law articulated a theory for controlling a state’s coercive powers.  La Force Publique

17 La Force Publique: “Collection of individual forces organized by the constitution to maintain rights of all and assure execution of the general will.”

18 Important Distinctions  Separated interior and exterior security Interior functions were for the policeInterior functions were for the police Exterior functions were the Army’s responsibilitiesExterior functions were the Army’s responsibilities Established two distinct lines of authorityEstablished two distinct lines of authority

19 La Force Publique The democratic state represented the basis for and regulator of the state’s coercive instruments The democratic state represented the basis for and regulator of the state’s coercive instruments

20 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

21  Colonial armed forces for police  Undermined legitimacy which lead to a lack of accountability Colonial African Example

22 American Example 1787 Constitutional Convention reluctance to having a standing army1787 Constitutional Convention reluctance to having a standing army Military protection from external threatsMilitary protection from external threats How to provide for defense without endangering libertyHow to provide for defense without endangering liberty

23 How to Control Armed Forces  Constitution  Bicameral legislature  Responsibility to the states

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

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

26 Internal Security Functions  Whiskey Rebellion  19th Century - in matters dealing with slavery  Integration of public schools

27 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

28 Intervention Effectiveness  Decision is always a civilian one  Meant to protect property and life  Never a substitute military for civilian law

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

30 Summary  Democracy Government by the people with supreme power vested in themGovernment by the people with supreme power vested in them  Military Dual natureDual nature  Examples European--La Force PubliqueEuropean--La Force Publique Colonial African--Internal/External & AccountabilityColonial African--Internal/External & Accountability American--Oath to ConstitutionAmerican--Oath to Constitution

31 Summary  Conclusions Value systemValue system Subordinate natureSubordinate nature TrustTrust

“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!