How can we explain why we fight for democracy, when the most important entity that enforces this for us (the US military) is run like a dictatorship -- not a democracy at all...
If democracy is the best way to govern, why do we purposely have no sense of this for our soldiers?
I understand that we could not run a military if votes were taken when crucial decisions were made and each soldier had "freedom of expression" -- but isn't this a bit hypocritical of our nation? If this has been proven to be the way to accomplish goals at our most important level, why do not apply this form of law and governance to our society at large?
2006-07-31 09:28:55 · 11 answers · asked by Finnale 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
My dear Finnale, you have been misinformed. The purpose of the US military is not to enforce or protect democracy, it is to enforce the policies of the US government, by force. Whatever they may be. The structure of the military is to effect a unified force of maximum effectiveness. Everybody of one mind, and on the same page. All working as though they were one. Keep in mind that the military is for offensive purposes. Militias are for defense.
You are correct that a society could and would function much more smoothly under the type of autocratic system that the military uses. And as long as we had a benevolent, responsible, fair, dictator it would probably work well. (Until the "haters" assassinated him.) Dictatorships are very effective in getting things done. Democracies are inherently inefficient, and unstable. But we don't run the society that way because we don't have effeciency and effectiveness and military precision as objectives for our society. We have priorities that are accomplished better through democracy. (Now if we could get some real democracy practiced here, maybe we could get something done.)
2006-07-31 11:17:56 · answer #1 · answered by Me-as-a-Tree 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's run like a dictatorship because that's the most effective way to run a military. We don't need innovation or freedom to think for grunt soldiers in the army. We need people who will follow orders and not panic or break ranks under fire.
Our government/economy is a republic because that's the most effective way we've found to run our country. Simple.
2006-07-31 09:33:23 · answer #2 · answered by 006 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Without the required rules they set forth (Uniform code of military justice- UCMJ) things would absoltuly fall apart.
Could you not imagine the chaos on Omaha and Utah beach on D-day if they said "sorry general- we took a vote and decided not to invade!" wow! that would be something
Also, the discipline is there to provide consistancy- whereas all military personnel follow the same protocall.
Last but not least- politics- in the military ya gotta play the "politically correct" game sometimes- I hated it.
2006-07-31 09:37:20 · answer #3 · answered by Franklin T 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No military could function effectively as a democracy.
Why is it hypocritical? No single nation has a military that is run as a democracy.
2006-07-31 09:33:19 · answer #4 · answered by Jack 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not a dilemma. You must have clear and concise lines of communicating who is in charge and who is giving orders. It is a "dictatorship" based on the Constitution of the United States, period. It is also not an "equal opportunity employer". So, instead of asking why, just thank a vet or a soldier for sacrificing his/her freedom for yours.
2006-07-31 09:36:30 · answer #5 · answered by Marshal 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
in a way the military is democratic, just as our society also is.
any person at any time can disobey an order from higher up the food chain so long as the result is demonstrably better than would have been the case.
2006-07-31 09:33:48 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Didn't Republicans in congress cut funding for embassy security in favor of tax breaks for the rich?
2016-03-27 10:10:12 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
democracy means that citizens have the right to vote to elect officials. we elected our president who is chief commander of the military. his authority is absolute, but it was a democratic process nonetheless.
the focus should be on the voting process...once they are in office we hope that our officials operate in our best interest.
2006-07-31 09:33:50 · answer #8 · answered by Darth Plagueis 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a paradox. But the world is a rough place, and the only way we can be free is to be prepared to defend ourselves.
“Good people sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.”
- George Orwell
2006-07-31 09:34:31 · answer #9 · answered by American citizen and taxpayer 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It may be the furthest thing, but it's not the farthest thing. Farther is used in comparisons of actual linear distance.
2006-07-31 09:30:31 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋