Managing the Military: The Joint Chiefs of Staff and Civil-Military Relations

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) is a senior military figure in the US who advises the president and is often the public face of the armed forces. Managing the Military by Sharon K. Weiner examines when and how the JCS chairman opposes civilian defense policy preferences, showing that under the right conditions, they can be a policy entrepreneur, challenging the White House and lobbying for the military's interests. However, their political clout is constrained by the preferences of the service chiefs.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 15 November 2022
Publisher: Columbia University Press

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), a senior group of officers who lead the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps, holds a significant position in the United States military hierarchy. As the primary military advisor to the President, the Chairman often serves as the public face of the armed forces. While some chairmen have used their role to advocate for the military's priorities and shape policy, others have taken a more proactive approach, challenging presidential preferences and charting new policy directions.

Managing the Military: A Pioneering Analysis of the Power of the Chairman of the JCS is a groundbreaking work that delves into the power dynamics of civil-military relations in the United States. Authored by Sharon K. Weiner, the book employs detailed case studies of debates over defense budgets since the end of the Cold War to examine when and how the JCS Chairman opposes civilian defense policy preferences. Weiner's analysis reveals that, under certain conditions, the Chairman can emerge as a policy entrepreneur, challenging the goals of the White House and advocating for the military's interests.

However, the extent of the Chairman's political clout is influenced by the preferences of the service chiefs, who head the branches of the military. Weiner also explores the evolution of the JCS institution and sheds light on the Chairman's interactions with the President and Secretary of Defense. The book combines empirical detail with theoretical contributions, offering a compelling account of the circumstances under which the power of the JCS Chairman is maximized.

In conclusion, Managing the Military is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of civil-military relations in the United States. By examining the power of the Chairman of the JCS, the book provides valuable insights into the complex interplay between the military and the civilian government. It sheds light on the Chairman's role as a policy entrepreneur, challenges the traditional view of civilian control over the military, and offers valuable recommendations for improving the effectiveness of the JCS in the future.

Weight: 528g
Dimension: 159 x 235 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231207348