THE CIVIL-MILITARY PARADOX IN U.S. POLITICS AND SOCIETY
Protecting a democratic nation from foreign threats often requires that nation to create a powerful military. Yet the creation of a powerful military may undermine the democracy that it is designed to protect. How do, and how should, democracies manage the paradoxical relationship between civilian authority and military institutions. Explores civilian and military perspectives in U.S. civil-military relations; address issues such as the use of military advice by civilian leaders, military challenges to civil authority, and tensions generated by shared responsibility for national security between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. Studies how civil-military relations impact wider American society by examining the garrison state hypothesis; debates centered upon the draft versus an all-volunteer force; issues of equity and inclusion; and current concerns regarding a civil-military "gap."
Prerequisites & course information
Requisites: Sophomore standing Course Designation: Core GenEd - Social & Behavioral Science Breadth - Humanities or Social Science Level - Intermediate L&S Credit - L&S Liberal Arts and Science Grad 50% - Counts toward 50% graduate coursework requirement Repeatable for Credit: No Last Taught: Fall 2026 Learning Outcomes: 1. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the Civil Military Paradox and the complex web of relationships that link the American public, civil authority, and the U.S. armed forces. Articulate an appreciation for why the paradox and civil-military relationships are important. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 2. Demonstrate how civil-military relations (CMR) impact our personal, professional, and civic lives. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 3. Comprehend and apply the vocabulary and theoretical concepts that inform our understanding of civil-military relations. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 4. Explain how big ideas, historical experiences, and wider trends shape civil-military relations in the United States. These considerations include:(a.)the U.S. Constitution(b.)national culture (core assumptions, values, and beliefs)(c.) public sentiment(d.)partisan political debates (e.)the domestic and international environments (political, security, economic, social)(f.)issues of equity/inclusion Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 5. Address critical issues and debates related to civil-military relations in U.S. politics and society—past, present, and future. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 6. Demonstrate how to think critically and write effectively. Respond to contemporary civil-military issues by developing recommendations for action. Support these recommendations with properly interpreted evidence and sound argument. Audience: Undergraduate 7. Produce research and analysis that deepens our understanding of the issues, theory, and/or practice of civil-military relations Audience: Graduate Learning Outcomes: 1. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the Civil Military Paradox and the complex web of relationships that link the American public, civil authority, and the U.S. armed forces. Articulate an appreciation for why the paradox and civil-military relationships are important. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 2. Demonstrate how civil-military relations (CMR) impact our personal, professional, and civic lives. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 3. Comprehend and apply the vocabulary and theoretical concepts that inform our understanding of civil-military relations. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 4. Explain how big ideas, historical experiences, and wider trends shape civil-military relations in the United States. These considerations include:(a.)the U.S. Constitution(b.)national culture (core assumptions, values, and beliefs)(c.) public sentiment(d.)partisan political debates (e.)the domestic and international environments (political, security, economic, social)(f.)issues of equity/inclusion Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 5. Address critical issues and debates related to civil-military relations in U.S. politics and society—past, present, and future. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 6. Demonstrate how to think critically and write effectively. Respond to contemporary civil-military issues by developing recommendations for action. Support these recommendations with properly interpreted evidence and sound argument. Audience: Undergraduate 7. Produce research and analysis that deepens our understanding of the issues, theory, and/or practice of civil-military relations Audience: Graduate
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026-2027