India's civil-military relations: The threat within?

It is for this reason that a country's civil-military relations must be based on well-established structures, procedures and spheres of influence, rather than on the mood of the moment that could shift on circumstances and events. In India, there is little understanding or public discussion of the demarcation between the government and the military, and the responsibility and connections between the two.

Samuel Huntington's masterpiece, his seminal 1957 book, The Soldier and the State, spells out the concept of "objective control" of the military. This model of civilian control, which is implemented in all successful modern democracies, allows the services full autonomy in their professional realm. A military that has ownership of its professional bailiwick, or so the "objective control" thesis postulates, does not involve itself in the political sphere. Civilian control, therefore, is asserted on broader political issues, rather than on day-to-day military functioning. In contrast, "subjective control" neutralises the military's influence through restrictive civilian controls, extending civilian oversight into spheres within the military's internal domain. Subjective control is predicated on "civilianising the military", while objective control aims at "militarising the military", encouraging professionalism and responsibility within its realm.

Students and observers of the Indian military and the structure of its relationship with the defence ministry and the government of India unanimously agree that, over time, the boundaries of "objective control" have been breached.

From long-term planning, to equipment procurement, promotions and dates of birth of army officers, the influence of the civil bureaucracy is pervasive. Ask any military officer his key resentment and there is near-certainty that he will name "the babu". While a military coup in India is hardly impending and the structures of parliamentary democracy seem likely to endure, grievance and resentment have been simmering within the officer corps.

Eric Nordlinger argues in another must-read masterpiece, Soldiers in Politics, Military Coups and Governments, that government failure is seldom more than a triggering condition for a coup. The actual causes of military intervention are civilian encroachment into what the military regards as its legitimate, four-fold sphere of corporate interests: adequate budgetary support, autonomy in managing internal affairs, preservation of its responsibilities in the face of encroachments from rival institutions, and the continuity of the military itself.

Is it time for a broader debate?

The Indian Defence Ministry and Home Ministry buildings are illuminated during the 'Beating the Retreat' ceremony in New Delhi.

double fine adventure turbo tax katharine mcphee cold mountain valentines day ideas the villages florida egoraptor