Democracy, Security, and the problems with labelling the military as a profession (original) (raw)

Abstract

Identifying the military as a profession carries with it conceptual baggage that clashes with democratic values because it inspires ideas of elitism that can lead to dogmatism. Along with seeking a monopoly on managing violence, the professional military narrative suggests that career military soldiers warrant a higher status in society. The military “expert” that wages warfare on behalf of their “client” (civilian citizen) seeks more autonomy, along with increased benefits and rights compared with those citizens who avoid military service. Such an outlook, based on an ideology, challenges civic accountability, the freedom of speech, civilian control over the military, and due process of law. As many occupations are portrayed as professions, military service entails fundamentally different values that are not conducive to a professional view. In a democratic republic, developing a professionalized military can risk denying opportunities to people of diverse backgrounds, worldviews, and values. As traditional professions such as medicine, law, education, and engineering require autonomy to conduct their work free from coercion to enhance benefits to society, such occupations also lack the capabilities to physically coerce or dominate the public. What makes the military career unique as a vocation vis-à-vis other occupations? What degree of autonomy and self-policing is warranted for the military?

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