Do Fewer Resources Mean Less Influence?: A Comparative Historical Case Study of Military Influence in a Time of Austerity

As military conflicts come to an end, it is not uncommon for societies to expect a "peace dividend" and to engage in elite and popular conversations about how much defense spending is still needed. The issues are similar across countries and time periods: How can defense planners preserve capabilities, avoid the reversibility problem, and plan for the long term? How can they guide the development of technologies and doctrines in a climate of austerity? This manuscript draws lessons from previous historic situations and applies them to today. Related products: The State-Society/Citizen Relationship in Security Analysis: Implications for Planning and Implementation of U.S. Intervention and Peace/State-Building Operations can be found here: https: //bookstore.gpo.gov/products/sku/008-000-01144-3Corruption, Legitimacy, and Stability: Implications for the U.S. Army can be found here: https: //bookstore.gpo.gov/products/sku/008-000-01254-7The Effective Use of Reserve Personnel in the U.S. Military: Lessons from the United Kingdom Reserve Model is available here: https: //bookstore.gpo.gov/products/sku/008-000-01100-1Rethinking the Drone War: National Security, Legitimacy, and Civilian Casualties in U.S. Counterterrorism Operations is available here: https: //bookstore.gpo.gov/products/sku/008-000-01213-0