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Military Force: Capabilities, Command, and Control

Military Force: Capabilities, Command, and Control. PO 325: International Politics. Capabilities. Force is a Very Important Bargaining Lever in IR; However, Because it is Costly, Force is Normally Viewed as a Last Resort in International Bargaining. Capabilities.

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Military Force: Capabilities, Command, and Control

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  1. Military Force: Capabilities, Command, and Control PO 325: International Politics

  2. Capabilities • Force is a Very Important Bargaining Lever in IR; However, Because it is Costly, Force is Normally Viewed as a Last Resort in International Bargaining

  3. Capabilities • There are Different Capabilities That Can Be Developed and Used For Different Ends • Not All Capabilities Available to All States • Not All Capabilities Applicable in All Situations • Generally, States Develop Force Capabilities For Defense, Deterrence, and Compellence; the Ways in Which States Most Often Attempt to Exercise Power (Based on Interest) Determines Capability Goals

  4. Capabilities • There are Two General TYPES of Capabilities Available To States: • Conventional • Most Often Used (Looking at Today) • WMD • Very Rarely Used, But Have Been Used; Credible Threat of Use is International Bargaining Tool

  5. What Leads States to Acquire Particular Capabilities? • First Decision: How Much Should We Spend on Military Capabilities Relative to Domestic Necessities? • Often Determined By What Factors Are Most Important to States at a Given Time (International and Domestic Conditions and Threats) • GUNS vs. BUTTER TRADEOFF – What Is Spent on One Depletes the Other • Short-Term Results of Focus on Guns: General Economic Stimulation, But Neglect of Domestic Programs • Long-Term Results: Increases Available Military Leverage, But Decreases Overall Economic Health (Why?)

  6. What Leads States to Acquire Particular Capabilities? • Second Decision: Which Capabilities To Acquire? How To Get Them? • Normally Involves Devoting Portions of GNP to Military Spending, But Capabilities Can Be Acquired in Different Ways • Economically and Technologically Powerful: Determine Important Defense Sectors Based on Interests (e.g., US and Naval Forces) and Focus R&D There • Less Powerful: Arms Imports • Addresses Immediate Needs, But Depletes Needed Capital • Can Decrease Major Powers’ Advantage, But Incentive Exists to Export

  7. Conventional Forces • Utility and Applicability • Armies • Immediate Control and Defense of Territory • Infantry, Artillery, Armor, Land Mines • Navies • Operate in Non-Territorial Areas; Can Exercise Leverage (Blockade) • Used As Power Projectors (Symbolism, Transport of Troops)

  8. Conventional Forces • Air Forces • Support of Naval/Army Forces • Aerial Bombing as Strategic Incapacitator and Force Balancer • Intelligence and Logistics (Supplies, Information Gathering)

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