Discussion Questions
The National Command Structure, Inter-service Rivalry, and Civilian Control of the Military
Questions for Chapter 7, 8, and 9:
33. Define victory in the nuclear age. Characterize the dilemma facing the American people in the age of nuclear war. With the end of the "Cold War" will America return to its traditional approach to war? Explain your answer.
34. What was Eisenhower's military policy and strategic doctrine? What was the thinking behind them? How did Eisenhower plan to defend the U.S. and its interests? What was the argument against his strategic vision? What do you think? Assess Eisenhower's performance in regard to national defense.
35. The 1947 National Security Act (along with the 1949 Amendments) created the organizational command structure for the United States during the period of the Cold War. Describe this system. What did it create? What did it fail to create? What were its strengths and weaknesses? How did if function. Did the system work effectively during the Korean War? Explain your answer.
36. Trace the evolution of Civil-Military Relations from World War to enactment of the Goldwater-Nichols Act in 1986? How did the framer of the Constitution seek to maintain civilian control of the military? What are major problems in post-World War II civil-military relations? As a balance been maintained?