Suchergebnisse

This article discusses the relationship between the Romanian armed forces and the leadership of the Romanian Communist party. It suggests that this relationship has been complicated, and made more difficult, by Romania's pursuit of foreign policy autonomy from the Soviet Union. Ceausescu has relied more on direct political intervention and less on positive inducements to retain control of the armed forces than have his counterparts elsewhere in Eastern Europe. Romania's defense establishment, like other institutions in that country, has been reduced to a state of stagnation and cannot under present circumstances be expected to provide the basis for leadership alternative to that of the current Communist party elite.

The period of Donald Trump's term in office was one of the most contentious periods of American civil–military relations. Both active-duty and retired officers rebuffed and castigated the president's actions, policies, and character. Such public criticism of a sitting president has no real parallel in American history. This breakdown in civil–military relations was caused by the president's lack of respect and in fact disdain for the contours of military professionalism. Those contours are expressed by the attributes of expertise, corporateness, and responsibility. The military's notion of commitment to the Constitution, an apolitical ethos, as well as its willingness to sacrifice for the national good were all part of the military's own sense of professional values. In this case, the sitting president shared none of those values and tried to politicize the military, ignored their expertise, and disparaged their selfless sacrifice.

The period of Donald Trump's term in office was one of the most contentious periods of American civil–military relations. Both active-duty and retired officers rebuffed and castigated the president's actions, policies, and character. Such public criticism of a sitting president has no real parallel in American history. This breakdown in civil–military relations was caused by the president's lack of respect and in fact disdain for the contours of military professionalism. Those contours are expressed by the attributes of expertise, corporateness, and responsibility. The military's notion of commitment to the Constitution, an apolitical ethos, as well as its willingness to sacrifice for the national good were all part of the military's own sense of professional values. In this case, the sitting president shared none of those values and tried to politicize the military, ignored their expertise, and disparaged their selfless sacrifice.

Introduction: Democratic Civil-Military Relations in 21st Century -- Part 1. Case Studies of Civil-Military Relations in Non-Democratic States and Illiberal Democracies: The Issue of Control -- Part 2. Case Studies of Civil-Military Relations in New Democracies: The Issue of Effectiveness in Different Roles and Missions -- Part 3. Case Studies of Civil-Military Relations in Established Democracies: The Dynamics of Change in Control and Effectiveness -- Conclusion.