Military Force: Capabilities, Command, and Control

1
Military Force Capabilities, Command, and Control

• PO 325 International Politics

2
Capabilities

• Force is a Very Important Bargaining Lever in IR
  However, Because it is Costly, Force is Normally
  Viewed as a Last Resort in International
  Bargaining

3
Capabilities

• There are Different Capabilities That Can Be
  Developed and Used For Different Ends
• Not All Capabilities Available to All States
• Not All Capabilities Applicable in All Situations
• Generally, States Develop Force Capabilities For
  Defense, Deterrence, and Compellence the Ways in
  Which States Most Often Attempt to Exercise Power
  (Based on Interest) Determines Capability Goals

4
Capabilities

• There are Two General TYPES of Capabilities
  Available To States
• Conventional
• Most Often Used (Looking at Today)
• WMD
• Very Rarely Used, But Have Been Used Credible
  Threat of Use is International Bargaining Tool

5
What Leads States to Acquire Particular
Capabilities?

• First Decision How Much Should We Spend on
  Military Capabilities Relative to Domestic
  Necessities?
• Often Determined By What Factors Are Most
  Important to States at a Given Time
  (International and Domestic Conditions and
  Threats)
• GUNS vs. BUTTER TRADEOFF What Is Spent on One
  Depletes the Other
• Short-Term Results of Focus on Guns General
  Economic Stimulation, But Neglect of Domestic
  Programs
• Long-Term Results Increases Available Military
  Leverage, But Decreases Overall Economic Health
  (Why?)

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What Leads States to Acquire Particular
Capabilities?

• Second Decision Which Capabilities To Acquire?
  How To Get Them?
• Normally Involves Devoting Portions of GNP to
  Military Spending, But Capabilities Can Be
  Acquired in Different Ways
• Economically and Technologically Powerful
  Determine Important Defense Sectors Based on
  Interests (e.g., US and Naval Forces) and Focus
  RD There
• Less Powerful Arms Imports
• Addresses Immediate Needs, But Depletes Needed
  Capital
• Can Decrease Major Powers Advantage, But
  Incentive Exists to Export

7
Conventional Forces

• Utility and Applicability
• Armies
• Immediate Control and Defense of Territory
• Infantry, Artillery, Armor, Land Mines
• Navies
• Operate in Non-Territorial Areas Can Exercise
  Leverage (Blockade)
• Used As Power Projectors (Symbolism, Transport of
  Troops)

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Conventional Forces

• Air Forces
• Support of Naval/Army Forces
• Aerial Bombing as Strategic Incapacitator and
  Force Balancer
• Intelligence and Logistics (Supplies, Information
  Gathering)

9
Control Decisions

• Military Apparatus Must Be Structured To Do the
  Bidding of The Government
• Managing a Vast Force of Soldiers is Complex and
  Can Be Chaotic Hierarchy Must Be Maintained
  Through Discipline (Punishment and Reward),
  Professionalism, and Solidarity (Patriotism,
  Camaraderie, Divestment of Individuality)

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Control Decisions

• Sometimes Discipline Can Break Down, Especially
  in Battle As Such, Hierarchical Power Must Be
  Somewhat Decentralized to Keep Authority Figures
  on the Scene (Development of Officer Corps That
  Can Command Respect and Develop Logistical
  Strategy)
• However, Decentralization Can Bring the Risk of
  Coup