Military + Politics [A Bad Combination?]

Had you ever wondered that Politics and Military is a bad combination?

Let's define the two first. Military is an organization authorized by its greater society to use lethal force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats. Politics meanwhile is a process by which groups of people make collective decisions We can also call Politics as a art or science of running governmental or state affairs.

What can Politics do when it comes to Military?
Well. Let's make the Congress as a example. The Philippine Congress has the power to declare war. The U.S. Congress meanwhile has a important role when it comes to national defense. It has also the power to declare war. It can maintain and raise it's armed forces, and to make rules for the military.

Martial law is the system of rules that takes effect when the military takes control of the normal administration of justice. Martial Law can be declared by the President of the Philippines. Like Ferdinand Marcos. In United States, martial law can be declared by the President or Governor of a state.

Those are some examples of what can Politics do when it comes to controlling the military. But what can a Military do when it comes to Politics?

A perfect example of this is a "coup d'état", overthrow or just coup. It is the sudden, extrajudicial deposition of a government, usually by a small group of the existing state establishment (typically the military) to replace the deposed government with another body; either civil or military. This has been used by Muammar al-Gaddafi to overthrow King Idris I and the monarchy system in Libya to form the Libyan Arab Republic.

Military junta is a government led by a committee of military leaders. This is the current government of Egypt after Hosni Mubarak resigned ending his nearly 30 year rule. Military junta and Military dictatorship is almost the same. A military dictatorship is a form of government where in the political power resides with the military.

By comparing and contrasting some examples gathered. We can conclude that Military and Politics is not really a bad combination. In fact, it is essential for a government. As long as the Politicians are not abusing their powers that was given to them under their constitution. While the military should focus in defending the citizens and it's country and should not abuse their powers.



By: M.R.F; Generalryan; I.C.F