Custom essay writing service

Buy term paper on The impact of the military on the situation in fragile states

Basically, the example of relatively strong, though unstable states, such as Israel, proves the fact that the military may be very influential but, as long as the official authorities are strong and the division of power persists, there is no actual threat from the part of the military to the general situation in the country. In other words, in a democratic and strong state the military are totally subordinate to the official authorities and cannot act on their own. On the other hand, their position may influence the public opinion or the military may start political career that will increase their political influence even in a democratic state. This fact means that the military are not deprive of an opportunity to enter politics, but in democratic countries, they cannot use this opportunity for the establishment of dictatorship, for instance.
The situation is absolutely different, in this regard, in fragile states. In this respect, it should be said that the military in fragile and failing states have consistently larger opportunities to influence the national politics. Moreover, it is obvious that the military power becomes one of the key factors that can maintain the stability in a failing state and, therefore, those political powers or the military that are willing to take the political power in the country can easily use the military forces to establish their control over the country. In such a context, it is possible to speak about the military as the major power in fragile and failing states. The reason for the increase of the significance in fragile and failing states is obvious – the deterioration of the socioeconomic situation in a country, the lack of the political stability, the existence of internal or external threats to national interests are favorable for the emergence of chaos and panic in a country (Fisk, 184). In such a situation, the military can naturally use their power to stabilize the situation in the country and establish a strict order.

buy term paper

Such actions of the military may be supported by the local population that will strengthen the position of the military in the country. As a result, there will be almost an ideal situation, when the military can take the power in a fragile and failing state, since they will be viewed by the public as the last hope of the nation, the last power that can save the country, while their opponents are too weak to oppose and, as a rule, the laws and democratic norms do not work in such fragile states.
However, in order to better understand the significance of the military in fragile and failing states and their impact on the situation in such states, it is necessary to dwell upon some countries which may be defined as fragile. One of such countries is Iraq. It should be pointed out that at the present moment the country heavily relies on the military support of the US and its allies that maintain order in the country and struggle against the opponents of the currently ruling regime in the country. At the same time, it should be said that the role of the military was very significant in Iraq in the past as well. In fact, the regime of Saddam Hussein was consistently dependent on the military. Otherwise, this regime would fail much earlier because Saddam Hussein, being deprived of the support of the military, could hardly keep balance in the country and remain in power.
Basically, it should be said that said that Iraq was and still is a fragile country, which could simply fall apart if there were no military who could maintain the order in the country. What is meant here is the fact that Iraq is characterized by numerous conflicts which have persisted in the country for a considerable period of time. For instance, it is possible to speak about practically permanent opposition and conflicts between Suni and Shii communities. In addition there was and still is the threat to the national interests of Iraq in the North where Kurds attempt to gain independence and create the state of their own. In such a situation, the regime established by Saddam Hussein was probably the most effective regime that could preserve Iraq from permanent civil conflicts or even wars and the separatist movement of Kurds.