US Civil-Military Relations After 9/11: Renegotiating the Civil-Military Bargain [Paperback]

Mackubin Thomas Owens (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 27, 2011 | ISBN-10: 1441160833 | ISBN-13: 978-1441160836

A thorough survey of the key issues that surround the relations between the military and its civilian control in the US today.
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Civilian control of our military is the fundamental precept of America's Civilian Military Relations. Effectively using history and keen insights into this complex issue, in this book Dr. Owens provides an informed perspective. In doing so, he reminds us of the military's broad and constant advisory role, of Congress' oversight responsibilities, of our civilian leaders' need for military understanding, and of the overarching need for civil military engagement if we are going to achieve the necessary synergy in defense. The concepts illuminated in this book remind us that if our military is expected to act in concert with civilian leadership's aims, a constant dialogue and reciprocal process is necessary. This is the finest work available today for a serious student of how the military can best serve the Republic. —James N. Mattis, General, U.S. Marines

Mack Owens has experienced war as well as studied it, and is, as a result well-positioned to write about the way in which politicians and soldiers struggle with the formulation of strategy. This careful study of civil-military relations demonstrates both enduring tensions in the American system and the new stresses brought about by changing geopolitics and evolving military technology. A thoughtful and balanced work. —Dr. Eliot A. Cohen, Robert E. Osgood Professor of Strategic Studies, Johns Hopkins SAIS

US Civil-Military Relations After 9/11 is an insightful and highly readable analysis by a noted scholar and commentator on the relations between the US military and the society it defends in the wake of September 11. Theoretically grounded, historically aware, and policy-relevant, it is must reading for an understanding of the evolution of civil-military relations in the US. Policy makers should consider carefully Professor Owens' analysis and its implications for strategic development and professional military education. It is also an outstanding choice for graduate and advanced undergraduate courses in civil-military relations and military sociology. —John Allen Williams, Professor of Political Science, Loyola University Chicago, Chair and President, Inter-University Seminar on Armed Forces and society



Mackubin Owen's US Civil-Military Relations After 9/11 is a resounding "must read" for any student, professor, and participant of U.S. and international civil-military relations. He skillfully weaves and synergizes critical theories, empirical examples, and key debates that provide thoughtful discussion for any civil-military relations or national security course. Professor Owens presents a balanced yet stimulating analysis of the continued negotiation of fundamental norms and decision-making processes within the context of varying patterns of civil-military relations. This book encourages the reader to think more rigorously and creatively about the institutional and cultural relationships between military and society in the post 9/11 environment. It will contribute to the great civil-military relations discussions and debates for years to come. —Rebecca L. Schiff, Adjunct Professor, U.S. Naval War College and Author of The Military and Domestic Politics: A Concordance Theory of Civil-Military Relations


In his new book, Mackubin Owens offers a thoughtful synthesis of scholarly debates and incisive analysis of what he terms the "civil-military bargain" in the United States. His analysis demonstrates that contemporary clashes in civil-military relations in fact are expressions of fundamental tensions present since the early days of the Republic. Written in easily accessible language, this book will prove enormously useful to scholars, students and citizens alike. - Risa Brooks, Marquette University

Civilian control of our military is the fundamental precept of America's Civilian Military Relations.  Effectively using history and keen insights into this complex issue, in this book Dr. Owens provides an informed perspective.  In doing so, he reminds us of the military's broad and constant advisory role, of Congress' oversight responsibilities, of our civilian leaders' need for military understanding, and of the overarching need for civil military engagement if we are going to achieve the necessary synergy in defense.  The concepts illuminated in this book remind us that if our military is expected to act in concert with civilian leadership's aims, a constant dialogue and reciprocal process is necessary.  This is the finest work available today for a serious student of how the military can best serve the Republic. —James N. Mattis, General, U.S. Marines

Mack Owens has experienced war as well as studied it, and is, as a result well-positioned to write about the way in which politicians and soldiers struggle with the formulation of strategy.  This careful study of civil-military relations demonstrates both enduring tensions in the American system and the new stresses brought about by changing geopolitics and evolving military technology.  A thoughtful and balanced work. —Dr. Eliot A. Cohen, Robert E. Osgood Professor of Strategic Studies, Johns Hopkins SAIS

US Civil-Military Relations After 9/11 is an insightful and highly readable analysis by a noted scholar and commentator on the relations between the US military and the society it defends in the wake of September 11.  Theoretically grounded, historically aware, and policy-relevant, it is must reading for an understanding of the evolution of civil-military relations in the US.  Policy makers should consider carefully Professor Owens’ analysis and its implications for strategic development and professional military education.  It is also an outstanding choice for graduate and advanced undergraduate courses in civil-military relations and military sociology.  —John Allen Williams, Professor of Political Science, Loyola University Chicago, Chair and President, Inter-University Seminar on Armed Forces and society



Mackubin Owen's US Civil-Military Relations After 9/11 is a resounding “must read” for any student, professor, and participant of U.S. and international civil-military relations. He skillfully weaves and synergizes critical theories, empirical examples, and key debates that provide thoughtful discussion for any civil-military relations or national security course. Professor Owens presents a balanced yet stimulating analysis of the continued negotiation of fundamental norms and decision-making processes within the context of varying patterns of civil-military relations. This book encourages the reader to think more rigorously and creatively about the institutional and cultural relationships between military and society in the post 9/11 environment. It will contribute to the great civil-military relations discussions and debates for years to come. —Rebecca L. Schiff, Adjunct Professor, U.S. Naval War College and Author of The Military and Domestic Politics: A Concordance Theory of Civil-Military Relations


In his new book, Mackubin Owens offers a thoughtful synthesis of scholarly debates and incisive analysis of what he terms the "civil-military bargain" in the United States. His analysis demonstrates that contemporary clashes in civil-military relations in fact are expressions of fundamental tensions present since the early days of the Republic. Written in easily accessible language, this book will prove enormously useful to scholars, students and citizens alike. - Risa Brooks, Marquette University 

About the Author

Mackubin Thomas Owens is Associate Dean of Academics for Electives and Directed Research and Professor of National Security Affairs at the US Naval War College in Newport, RI. He is a Senior Fellow of the Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) in Philadelphia, and Editor of Orbis, FPRI's journal. He was Editor-In-Chief of the defense journal Strategic Review from 1990 to 1997. He is co-editor of a textbook, Strategy and Force Planning, now in its fourth edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Continuum (January 27, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1441160833
• ISBN-13: 978-1441160836
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #684,884 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clear, concise, and highly readable, April 12, 2011

By 

Karl Marlantes - See all my reviews
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This review is from: US Civil-Military Relations After 9/11: Renegotiating the Civil-Military Bargain (Paperback)

Mackubin Owens's clear, concise style is a pleasure to read. I read it in one sitting because what I'd just read was so illuminating I wanted to get to the next subject immediately. Owens walks the reader through very complex, subtle, and extremely important issues with the brevity appreciated by a lay reader, like myself, but with enough footnotes and references to satisfy even the most exacting scholar. All sides of any issue are shown clearly and evenly. I'd thought vaguely about most of the issues raised in this book, but after reading just the first chapter I realized that, indeed, I had thought vaguely. This book has increased my knowledge and sharpened my thinking. Everyone in public service engaged in national defense policy should read this book. It would save wasted effort and wasted lives. If we truly believe that we are a republic, a form of government that requires the engagement of its citizens in both the thinking about and the doing of our nation's defense, the more citizens who read this book, the healthier our democracy.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One Stop Shop for Civ-Mil Relations Reading, March 3, 2011

By 

Ed Cox - See all my reviews

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This review is from: US Civil-Military Relations After 9/11: Renegotiating the Civil-Military Bargain (Paperback)

As someone who teaches an undergraduate elective in civil-military relations, I've read most of the books Mackubin Owens references in this concise, well-written argument. Even with my level of familiarity with the subject, I was blown away by how he accurately and eloquently lays out the history of civil-military relations in the U.S., the issues that complicate that relationship in the wake of 9/11, and the solutions he puts forth. This book should be read by military leaders and civilian leaders alike in the national security establishment, as well as concerned citizens.

If you're only going to read one book on the subject, this is the book to read.

Ed Cox

Author of Grey Eminence: Fox Conner and the Art of Mentorship

4.0 out of 5 stars Have you ever wondered why Colin Powell quit., September 22, 2011

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Bravo - See all my reviews

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This review is from: US Civil-Military Relations After 9/11: Renegotiating the Civil-Military Bargain (Paperback)

This book informs one of the status of Civil-Military relations that are part of the every day decisions that this countryh faces. It explains the role of each and where some have drifted from their assigned duties of responsibility. Well worth the read.