The dictator's army : battlefield effectiveness in authoritarian regimes / Caitlin Talmadge.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Talmadge, Caitlin, author.

Series:

Cornell studies in security affairs.

Cornell studies in security affairs

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Authoritarianism.

Military policy--Decision making.

Military policy.

Politics and war.

Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Political aspects.

Vietnam War, 1961-1975.

Iran-Iraq War, 1980-1988--Political aspects.

Iran-Iraq War, 1980-1988.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xi, 304 pages) : illustrations

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Ithaca ; London : Cornell University Press, 2015.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

In The Dictator's Army, Caitlin Talmadge presents a compelling new argument to help us understand why authoritarian militaries sometimes fight very well-and sometimes very poorly. Talmadge's framework for understanding battlefield effectiveness focuses on four key sets of military organizational practices: promotion patterns, training regimens, command arrangements, and information management. Different regimes face different domestic and international threat environments, leading their militaries to adopt different policies in these key areas of organizational behavior.Authoritarian regimes facing significant coup threats are likely to adopt practices that squander the state's military power, while regimes lacking such threats and possessing ambitious foreign policy goals are likely to adopt the effective practices often associated with democracies. Talmadge shows the importance of threat conditions and military organizational practices for battlefield performance in two paired comparisons of states at war: North and South Vietnam (1963-1975) and Iran and Iraq (1980-1988). Drawing on extensive documentary sources, her analysis demonstrates that threats and practices can vary not only between authoritarian regimes but also within them, either over time or across different military units. The result is a persuasive explanation of otherwise puzzling behavior by authoritarian militaries. The Dictator's Army offers a vital practical tool for those seeking to assess the likely course, costs, and outcomes of future conflicts involving nondemocratic adversaries, allies, or coalition partners.

Contents:

Introduction: the puzzle of battlefield effectiveness

A framework for explaining battlefield effectiveness

Threats and military organizational practices in North and South Vietnam

Battlefield effectiveness in North and South Vietnam

Threats and military organizational practices in Iraq and Iran

Battlefield effectiveness in Iraq and Iran

Conclusion: threats, military organizational practices, and the battlefields of the future.

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

1-5017-0175-4

1-5017-0176-2

OCLC:

1080551455