On Order, Authority, and Modern Civil-Military Relations

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Lindsay P. Cohn reads Augustine from the perspective of modern civil-military relations, analyzing how Augustines views on order, authority, war, peace, violence, and public service help illuminate current debates about democratic control of the military, the ideal relationship between the soldier and the wider society, and the role of the military leader in policy and strategic planning.

While Augustine never wrote a treatise on war or military service, nor indeed on political theory of any kind, his ideas about these topics form part of a centuries-old theoretical and ethical tradition with great contemporary relevance.

Cohn explores the relevance of Augustines thought to contemporary normative theories of civil-military relations, especially those of Huntington, Cohen, and Brooks. She then considers possible alternatives to Augustines conservatism from the liberal, republican and other democratic theories of Locke, Rousseau, Habermas, and more. To engage with Augustines ethical arguments about the appropriateness of political violence, Cohn draws from Clausewitzs descriptive arguments about the nature of war and how victory is achieved. Finally, Cohn looks at the modern empirical literature about the role of militaries in democratic breakdown, in an effort to sketch a military professional ethic appropriate to modern political values.

Ultimately, Cohn highlights Augustines moral guidance is of both practical and ethical importance; however, his assumptions about the nature of war and political authority require modification if we are to produce a usefully refined normative theory of civil-military relations.

Reviews

In On Order, Authority, and Modern Civil-Military Relations, Lindsay P. Cohn presents a compelling challenge to the dominant normative framework in U.S. civil-military relations, questioning Huntingtons paradigm of military professionalism. By skilfully comparing and synthesizing Augustine's insights, democratic political theory, and social science research, Cohn illuminates the complexity of contemporary military ethics and roles within democratic societies. Her interdisciplinary approach, effortlessly weaving together centuries of literature with incisive analysis, invites deep reflection and offers a fresh perspective on the crucial normative foundations of modern civil-military relations. * David Kuehn, German Institute of Global and Area Studies, Germany *
This book has an incredibly tough but important task: to use Augustine to rethink the ethics of military officers fit into increasingly politicized circumstances. That Professor Cohn exceeds her ambition is not surprising as she is one of the most respected scholars of contemporary civil-military relations. * Stephen M. Saideman, Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Canada *
Lindsay Cohn's book provides a refreshing perspective on contemporary civil-military relations by examining them through the lens of Augustine. Cohn explores how Augustine's insights could shed light on fundamental questions inherent in civil-military debates, such as the role of the military in society or the tensions between conscience and authority. This work offers a valuable theoretical framework for transcending the prevalent Huntingtonian model of civil-military relations, which currently dominates academic and policy discussions. * Chiara Ruffi, Sciences Po, France *

Author Bio

Lindsay P. Cohn is Associate Professor in the Department of National Security Affairs, U.S. Naval War College, USA.