1 / 8

Using Military Force

This exploration delves into the role of military force as conceptualized by Wilson, emphasizing the relationship between great and weak powers and the responsibilities that come with military might. It argues that the end of the Cold War didn't conclude global conflicts, highlighting the influence of military spending before and after significant historical events, including WWII and 9/11. The piece discusses client politics, the unanticipated costs associated with military expenditures, and the impact of terrorism in a unipolar world, stressing the importance of civilian control and strategic decisions in national defense policies.

rory
Download Presentation

Using Military Force

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Using Military Force Wilson 20 C

  2. Military Industrial Complex • Great power vs. weak power • Great responsibility • End of cold war not the end of war • Majoritarian view • Military exists to defend the country • Client politics • The real beneficiaries are the unified bloc of military leaders and defense contractors

  3. Comparative US Military Spending

  4. Spending • How much? • Before WWII – armed for war and disarmed after • After WWII – spending driven by containment • After USSR – forced to redefine principles • After 9/11 – changed paradigm of war • Liberals = peace dividend, no more threat • Conservatives = world a dangerous place

  5. Spending • On what? • Personnel – all volunteer force after Vietnam • Women and gays • Big-ticket items – highly specialized weaponry • Cost overruns • Hard to predict costs • Underestimate quotes • Gold plating request • Sole-sourcing items • Stretching out payments • Small-ticket items are unique to military

  6. Spending • On what? • Readiness • Client politics interferes with preparation • Pork emphasizes jobs over training • Bases • Epitome of client politics • Fight to open new base in district • Don’t close old base in district • Commission on Base Realignment and Closure • 1988, 1991, 2001, 2005

  7. Decision-making • Civilian control over the military • Founding principle • National Security Act of 1947 • Defense Department headed by civilian • Joint Chiefs of Staff coordinates autonomous services • Coldwater-Nichols Act of 1986 revised procedures • Commanders oversee discipline and training • Civilian leaders purchase, PR, audit, Congress • Chain of command • Continuing debate over coordination and consolidation

  8. Terrorism • From bipolar to unipolar world • Not challenged militarily • Vulnerable to terror attacks What to do with nations who harbor terrorists? • Doctrine of preemption • Political divide • Dominate elections since • More ideological • Nation-building • Arab Spring

More Related