An Eternal Constant: the Influence of Political Ideology on American Defense Policy 1782-1800 and 1989-1994

Publisher Marketing: This book traces the historical origins, evolution, and continuing influence of liberal and conservative political ideology on American Defense policy. The study concentrates on a comparison of the periods 1783-1800, the military debates of the early republic, and 1989-1994, the current debates on the structure of the post-Cold War American Military. The central thesis is that the parallels between the public debates on the proposed downsizing of the United States' Armed Forces in the 1990s and the debates on the creation of a permanent American military establishment in the 1780s and 1790s reflect the continuing influence of fundamental republican/liberal and federalist/conservative political ideologies. During the nation's solidified into coherent political movements which continue to dominate public debate. The book concludes that an understanding of the origin and nature of these pro and anti-military political prejudices is essential if military leaders are going to design future forces that will accommodate the concerns of all parties. Specifically, these force structures must allow for the complex and unique relationship between American society, the professional military, and the citizen soldier.