Power
Its Military Sources and Limits The Importance of Military Power
Military power has been and continues to be important in world politics. Control of territory Military threats and promises Military power, force and punishment Credibility and military reputation Military power reduces to the ability to win wars by defeating the enemy in battle.
The Sources of Military Power
Military power arises from a state's population and economyits potential powerwhich can be mobilized by its government. Statistical measures can help us assess potential power. A government's ability to mobilize and use military power varies with the situation. Limited war vs. total war States can mobilize their potential power in a variety of ways. The military a state chooses to build is a critical decision. The U.S. and the All-Volunteer Army Projecting military power at a distance is difficult; the loss-of-strength gradient. The U.S. in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, Afghanistan, and Iraq.
Quality versus Quantity
The choice between quality and quantity of military is critical in design of forces and doctrine. The Advantages of Quality The first Gulf War; the U.S. vs. Iraq The Advantages of Quantity World War II in Europe, Germany vs. the Soviet Union
Potential Power
Population: Size and pool of skills Sweden vs. the Soviet India Union Economy: Size and sophistication Great Britain in the 19th Century The Gulf States and oil wealth
Mobilizing Potential Power
Political capacity: a government's ability to penetrate and extract resources from society North Vietnam vs. South Vietnam Commitment of the government and populace to a war France from 1792 to 1815 Differences between autocracies and democracies Germany vs. Great Britain in World War II
How Wars are Won
The more powerful side only wins in 59% of wars, so many other factors than military power determine which side wins a war: Leadership and morale Terrain and geography Strategy Luck The Battle of Midway
War and Motivation to Win
Although military power has a large effect on which side wins, so does motivation. Combat imposes costs on both sides, so the willingness to suffer those costs is critical to
winning a war. National motivation, the importance of the stakes, and the willingness to suffer costs The Vietnam War: how could North Vietnam win? Initiators win more often68%than the stronger side: selection of which issues to fight over.
Conclusions about Military Power
Potential versus mobilized power The projection of power Power alone does not determine who wins a war. The willingness to accept costs Current dominance of the United States; how long will it last?