Civil-Military Relations and Political Dynamics

Civil–military relations examine the balance of authority, legitimacy and interaction between armed forces and civilian political institutions. Originating in classical works that emphasise military professionalism, obedience and civilian supremacy, the field has broadened to address how democracies and authoritarian regimes alike negotiate institutional autonomy, political influence and public accountability. Central themes include the mechanisms of civilian control, the military’s role in emergency governance and the conditions under which senior officers intervene in policy debates or stage coups. Contemporary scholarship highlights the impact of non-violent protest tactics, elite purges and international security partnerships on military behaviour, alongside the political economy of defence spending and procurement. The emergence of hybrid warfare, cyber operations and peacekeeping mandates has introduced new arenas for civilian–military collaboration as well as contestation. Comparative studies show that the professional ethos of officers, the strength of parliamentary oversight and the clarity of legal frameworks are decisive in preventing undue militarisation of politics, regulating the use of force and sustaining institutional trust. Understanding these dynamics remains vital for assessing democratic resilience, forecasting regime trajectories and designing effective governance reforms.

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Civil-Military Relations and Political Dynamics publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in civil-military relations and political dynamics across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Civil–military relations: The study of institutional and interpersonal dynamics that determine how the military is governed by and interacts with civilian authorities.

Civilian control: The formal and informal mechanisms by which elected officials and civilian bodies direct defence policy, military operations and resource allocation to ensure democratic accountability.

Fratricidal coercion: The practice of using internal violence and intimidation against one’s own soldiers to compel compliance, often yielding short-term obedience at the cost of morale and effectiveness.

Pulling: Civilian-led efforts to involve the military in non-traditional or political functions through formal requests, covert pressure or expanded mandates.

References

1. Military Repression and Restraint in Algeria. American Political Science Review (2023).
2. Fratricidal Coercion in Modern War. International Organization (2025).
3. Knocking on the barracks’ door: How role conceptions shape the military's reactions to political demands. European Journal of International Security (2021).