Civil control of the military

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Civil control of the military is a doctrine in military and political science that places ultimate responsibility for a country's military strategic decision-making in the hands of the civil authority, rather than with the military leadership itself. Civil oversight over militaries, mainly used in democratic governments, puts the power to take military action in the hands of a civil leader or legislative agency. Allowing the civil component of government to retain control over the military or state security shows a healthy respect for democratic values and good governance. Giving power to the civil component of the government over what the military can do and how much money it can spend protects the democratic process from abuse. Nations that can achieve legitimate relationship between the two structures serves to be more effective and provide accountability between government and military. Security relies on both sides compromising on the civil and security needs to find the best resulting...

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