Dangerous Instrument: Political Polarization and US Civil-Military Relations

The politicization of traditionally non-partisan institutions in the United States, such as the American military, is a growing concern. This trend has led to a dramatic reversal of public opinion, with the military becoming one of the most trusted institutions in American society. However, this trend is also accompanied by increasing polarization along partisan lines, creating a new political environment that challenges traditional civil-military norms. Dangerous Instrument examines the current state of U.S. civil-military affairs and explores the potential limits of American trust in the armed services, focusing on the interplay of the public, political parties, media outlets, and the military itself on the prospect of politicization and its associated challenges. The book provides important insights into the contemporary arc of American civil-military affairs and offers recommendations on ways to preserve a non-partisan military.

Format: Hardback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 22 February 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

The politicization of traditionally non-partisan institutions in the United States has sparked significant concern, leading many to examine the impact of this trend on the American military. Since the end of the Vietnam War, the U.S. military has undergone a remarkable reversal of public opinion, becoming one of the most trusted institutions in American society. However, this trend is more complex than it appears, as individuals have become increasingly polarized along partisan lines, creating a new political environment that challenges traditional civil-military norms.

In a data-driven analysis of contemporary American attitudes, Dangerous Instrument explores the current state of U.S. civil-military affairs, examining how the public views their military and the potential effects of partisan tribalism on this relationship in the future. Michael A. Robinson delves into the sources and potential limits of American trust in the armed services, focusing on the interplay between the public, political parties, media outlets, and the military itself on the prospect of politicization and its associated challenges.

As democratic institutions face persistent pressure worldwide, Dangerous Instrument provides valuable insights into the contemporary arc of American civil-military affairs and offers recommendations on ways to preserve a non-partisan military.

The politicization of traditionally non-partisan institutions in the United States has raised concerns over the impact on the American military. Since the end of the Vietnam War, the U.S. military has experienced a dramatic reversal of public opinion, becoming one of the most trusted institutions in American society. However, this trend is more complex than it appears, as individuals have become increasingly polarized along partisan lines, creating a new political environment that challenges traditional civil-military norms.

In a data-driven analysis of contemporary American attitudes, Dangerous Instrument explores the current state of U.S. civil-military affairs, examining how the public views their military and the potential effects of partisan tribalism on this relationship in the future. Michael A. Robinson delves into the sources and potential limits of American trust in the armed services, focusing on the interplay between the public, political parties, media outlets, and the military itself itself on the prospect of politicization and its associated challenges.

As democratic institutions face persistent pressure worldwide, Dangerous Instrument provides valuable insights into the contemporary arc of American civil-military affairs and offers recommendations on ways to preserve a non-partisan military.

Weight: 576g
Dimension: 242 x 161 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197611555