Civil-Military Relations

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses civil-military relations in a state. The discusses the importance of the involvement of the military, particularly in countries undergoing transition to democracy and looks at the challenges that it can pose on the state. The paper also discusses ways in which military can come into conflict with the civilians and provides examples from history.

From the Paper:

"As the result of this, the public became increasingly agitated and Musharraf became a highly unpopular figure in the country. He finally resigned in 2008 under immense pressure from the newly elected government and the public. Maria Susana Ricci and J. Samuel Fitch are right when they say, "military government is a contradiction in terms; the armed forces cannot govern without subverting their own essence." Realizing the mistakes they have made, they try to exit hastily as not to do any more damage to the country. This cannot be said of Pakistan though where the transition has been going on and off for decades. The weaknesses of other institutions have given even greater strength to the army which is probably the best and most well organized institution in the country."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Carl von Clausewitz, On War, Middlesex: Penguin Books, 1968,
• Finer, S. E. The Man on Horseback: The Role of the Military in Politics. Boulder: Westview Press, 1988.
• Huntington, Samuel P. Political Order in Changing Societies. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1968.
• McAlister, L. N. "Recent Research and Writings on the Role of the Military in Latin America." Latin American Research Review 2 (Fall 1966): 5-36.
• Niccolo Machiavelli (W.K. Marriott trans.), The Prince, London: E.P. Dutton and Co., 1920,

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• Analytical Essay # 147016 : "Military Innovations of the American Civil War"

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