مجلة أبحاث
Volume 11, Numéro 1, Pages 831-852
2026-06-07
Civil–military Relations: A Study Of The Theories Explaining The Civil–military Relationship
Authors : Limam Salma .
Abstract
Civil-military relations are a central topic in political science, defining the balance between civilian authority and the military's monopoly on force. Scholarly focus grew in the mid-20th century as armies gained political influence, making this relationship a key benchmark for democracy and stability. While foundational theories from scholars like Huntington and Janowitz remain important, they are insufficient to capture the full complexity of the subject. Empirical evidence shows that structural and historical factors decisively shape these relations, as seen in European states where armies have either aided or hindered democratic transitions. This demonstrates that civil-military dynamics are not fixed but evolve with domestic and international contexts. The core research problem is balancing a strong military for defense with the imperative of keeping it subordinate to civilian control. Ultimately, the field concludes that civil-military relations act as a mirror of the modern state's consolidation. They cannot be understood through a single model but require a multidimensional analysis combining theory with comparative historical study.
Keywords
civil–military relations, democratic transition, civilian oversight, elected authority.
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