Dangerous Instrument

As increasingly contentious politics in the United States raise concerns over the "politicization" of traditionally non-partisan institutions, many have turned their attention to how the American military has been--and will be--affected by this trend. Since a low point following the end of the Vietnam War, the U.S. military has experienced a dramatic reversal of public opinion, becoming one of the most trusted institutions in American society. However, this trend ismore complicated than it appears: just as individuals have become fonder of their military, they have also become increasingly polarized from one another along partisan lines. The result is a newpolitical environment rife with challenges to traditional civil-military norms.In a data-driven analysis of contemporary American attitudes, Dangerous Instrument examines the current state of U.S. civil-military affairs, probing how the public views their military and the effect that partisan tribalism may have on that relationship in the future. Michael A. Robinson studies the sources and potential limits of American trust in the armed services, focusing on theinterplay of the public, political parties, media outlets, and the military itself on the prospect of politicization and its associated challenges. As democratic institutions face persistent pressure worldwide,Dangerous Instrument provides important insights into the contemporary arc of American civil-military affairs and delivers recommendations on ways to preserve a non-partisan military.

Winner of Winner , Army Strategist Association's Andrew F. Krepinevich, Jr. Book Award.

“"Using state of the art methods, Robinson's Dangerous Instrument systematically unpacks the politicization of the U.S. military'explaining both why and how the military's perceived relationship to political parties is shifting. Robinson's compelling insights offer a major contribution to scholarly and practical debate about U.S. civil-military relations." -- Risa Brooks, Allis Chalmers Associate Professor of Political Science, Marquette University "Michael Robinson has produced an exceptional guide for navigating the maelstrom of modern civil-military relations and provides key insights for how our theories must adapt to the era of increased political polarization and collapsing confidence in our national institutions." -- Jason K. Dempsey, author of Our Army: Soldiers, Politics, and American Civil-Military Relations "Timely does not begin to cover Robinson's book as the state of American civil-military relations is as perilous as it has been in 160 years. He punctures the myth that the military has not been affected by the intense partisanship dynamics that have tainted all other public institutions. Robinson provides keen insights into how partisan dynamics are shaping the place of the U.S. military in American politics, based on the creative and rigorous deployment of surveys.”

Using state of the art methods, Robinsonâs Dangerous Instrument systematically unpacks the politicization of the U.S. militaryâexplaining both why and how the militaryâs perceived relationship to political parties is shifting. Robinsonâs compelling insights offer a major contribution to scholarly and practical debate about U.S. civil-military relations. Risa Brooks, Allis Chalmers Associate Professor of Political Science, Marquette University
Michael Robinson has produced an exceptional guide for navigating the maelstrom of modern civil-military relations and provides key insights for how our theories must adapt to the era of increased political polarization and collapsing confidence in our national institutions. Jason K. Dempsey, author of Our Army: Soldiers, Politics, and American Civil-Military Relations
Timely does not begin to cover Robinsonâs book as the state of American civil-military relations is as perilous as it has been in 160 years. He punctures the myth that the military has not been affected by the intense partisanship dynamics that have tainted all other public institutions. Robinson provides keen insights into how partisan dynamics are shaping the place of the U.S. military in American Politics, based on the creative and rigorous deployment of surveys.ÂThis book is essential reading not just for scholars of civil-military relations but for those seeking to understand the decline of American institutions. Stephen M. Saideman, Paterson Chair in International Affairs, Carleton University
Robinson has produced an indispensable book on the American military and its changing relationship to our broader public. His research reveals the ways societal trends are affecting the military, eroding the norm of an apolitical culture: the American public is clamoring for partisan political activity by both active duty military and veterans, even as they respect the institution of our military less for engaging in it. Kori Schake, Senior Fellow and Director of Foreign and Defense Policy Studies, American Enterprise Institute
This superb book comes at a critical time in U.S. civil-military relations. Robinson not only provides an excellent framework to evaluate politicization of the military but also offers clear remedies on how to restore its non-partisan character. This remarkable piece of scholarship by one of the sharpest minds in the field of civil-military relations today is a must-read for elected officials, service members, and Americans of all stripes. Heidi A. Urben, Georgetown University, author of Party, Politics, and the Post-9/11 Army
The field of civil-military relations theory and scholarship is currently experiencing a revival, both in the aftermath of 9/11 and, most recently, over the past eight years. One of the most recent books on the market is also one of the most impactful and accessible. Dr. Michael Robinson's book, Dangerous Instrument, provides meticulously researched work and findings that are imperative to understanding why and how the military's politicization must be addressed...Robinson explains clearly how the current U.S. political environment threatens the viability of our institutions of government, particularly the military...Military professionals need to read this book. Col. Todd A. Schmidt, Director of Army University Press and Editor-in-Chief of Military Review
In Dangerous Instrument, Robinson (independent scholar) examines the increasingly volatile issue of the place of the US military in an increasingly polarized domestic political environment...Highly recommended. Undergraduates through faculty; professionals; general readers. Choice
This book is an excellent contribution to the literature on US civil-military relations. It expertly weaves together insights from American politics and civil - military relations and uses advanced experimental and text analysis techniques and analyses of survey and media evidence... Given the clarity and thoughtfulness of Robinson's text, people on both sides of the civil-military relationship, as well as scholars interested in the health of American democracy, should read this book. Robert Ralston, Perspectives on Politics

Michael A. Robinson is a former Assistant Professor of International Affairs at the United States Military Academy at West Point and an Army strategist. A researcher on U.S. and comparative civil-military relations, he is a non-resident fellow at West Point's Modern War Institute and holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from Stanford University.

As increasingly contentious politics in the United States raise concerns over the "politicization" of traditionally non-partisan institutions, many have turned their attention to how the American military has been--and will be--affected by this trend. Since a low point following the end of the Vietnam War, the U.S. military has experienced a dramatic reversal of public opinion, becoming one of the most trusted institutions in American society. However, this trend ismore complicated than it appears: just as individuals have become fonder of their military, they have also become increasingly polarized from one another along partisan lines. The result is a new political environment rife with challenges to traditional civil-military norms.In a data-driven analysis of contemporary American attitudes, Dangerous Instrument examines the current state of U.S. civil-military affairs, probing how the public views their military and the effect that partisan tribalism may have on that relationship in the future. Michael A. Robinson studies the sources and potential limits of American trust in the armed services, focusing on the interplay of the public, political parties, media outlets, and the military itself on the prospect ofpoliticization and its associated challenges. As democratic institutions face persistent pressure worldwide, Dangerous Instrument provides important insights into the contemporary arc of American civil-military affairs and delivers recommendations on ways to preserve a non-partisan military.

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.