The challenge of civil-military relations is having a military strong enough to defend the state from threats without becoming a threat to the state in the process.

Join Peter Feaver, Professor of Political Science and Public Policy at Duke University, and Thomas Simpson, Alfred Landecker Professor of Values and Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government, for a discussion of a new paper examining the norms and best practices that have guided US civil-military relations in the modern era and consider how viable they are in the present moment.

The United States boasts a proud record in this regard, especially when graded on the curve of how other great powers have managed the challenge. But there is a lot of friction built into our system and we have learned in recent years how much more challenging this friction can be when the polity is afflicted with affective political polarization. Political tensions among civilians affects civil-military relations because much our system depends on the relevant actors voluntarily abiding by norms of self-restraint.

Please note that this discussion will take place in person only and capacity is limited. Register below to secure your place.

Peter D Feaver

Peter D Feaver (PhD, Harvard, 1990) is a Professor of Political Science and Public Policy at Duke University. He is Director of the Duke Program in American Grand Strategy, co-PI of the America in the World Consortium, and co-Interim Director of Duke’s Civil Discourse Project. His most recent book is Thanks for Your Service: The Causes and Consequences of Public Confidence in the Military (Oxford University Press, 2023). Feaver served on the NSC staff under both President Clinton (as a Director for Defense Policy and Arms Control, 1993-1994) and President Bush (as Special Advisor for Strategic Planning and Institutional Reform, 2005-2007).