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CommuterIE · 10-07-2011, 00:10

Take Gen.
David Petraeus

as an example, do you think he can influence politicians? He is a four star General after all... it should be the other way around though right?

It wasn't me! · 10-07-2011, 00:19

Think of a government as a decision making programme or machine. To make decisions, it needs to be fed expert information via consultation with experts. Joe politician is damn near never going to have serious military expertise. Therefore, of course senior military personnel are going to be influential in the proper exercising of the decision making function of a government within their area of expertise. That's how it should be.

**Manic Moran** · 10-07-2011, 01:27

Don't forget, in the US at least, if there's ever a head-to-head between the military and the politicians, the military will lose. Witness Douglas MacArthur.

NTM

10-07-2011, 00:10	#1
CommuterIE Banned Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 445 Adverts \| Friends	Military Generals, do they have an affect on politics? Take Gen. David Petraeus as an example, do you think he can influence politicians? He is a four star General after all... it should be the other way around though right?

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10-07-2011, 00:19	#2
It wasn't me! Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: The wrong end of nowhere Posts: 12,144 Adverts \| Friends	Think of a government as a decision making programme or machine. To make decisions, it needs to be fed expert information via consultation with experts. Joe politician is damn near never going to have serious military expertise. Therefore, of course senior military personnel are going to be influential in the proper exercising of the decision making function of a government within their area of expertise. That's how it should be.

10-07-2011, 01:27	#3
Manic Moran Moderator Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Danville, California Posts: 10,787 Adverts \| Friends Mod: Military	Don't forget, in the US at least, if there's ever a head-to-head between the military and the politicians, the military will lose. Witness Douglas MacArthur. NTM