Use of Military Power: a Comparative Study of Democratic and Autocratic States

Abstract

The successful application of national power lies in determining and utilizing the most appropriate mix of the instruments of national power to achieve a desired outcome or end state. And the principal instruments of national power include the economic, informational, diplomacy and the military. And in this case the Military power is applied as appropriate to achieve national objectives. Military power is normally used only as a means of last resort when other instruments of national power have failed, or are at risk of failing, to protect national interests. This research problem looked at the use of military power: a comparative study of democratic and autocratic states. The study was guided by the following specific objectives to determine the role of the military within a state, to find the constraints on the use of military power in democratic and autocratic states and the Core characteristics democratic and autocratic states.The research design that was employed in this study is descriptive survey. This study targeted a population from the public and military in Kenya. The population sample was 50 individuals both from both public and military. The researcher used primary data for this study and was collected using questionnaires; the questionnaires included closed and open ended questions. Closed ended questions was used in an effort to conserve time and money as well as to facilitate an easier analysis be based on qualitative methods of data collection and analysis. Data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Data analysis was done with help of software programme SPSS version 21. Modernization Theory was looked at and it emphasized the importance of structural change and associated the rise of per capita incomes with the decline of the agrarian economy and the rise of urban industry. The study further came up with recommendations such as the role of the military should being broadened to other function so as to ensure that the military is efficiently used in the county. The government should ensure that the policies set by them facilitate the military in conducting function outside the barrack and such policies should permit the military to come to help the country in times of crisis. The military should be trained on observing prime functions such as protecting basic human rights and being capable of committing to the values of tolerance, cooperation, and compromise. While the government should promote the principles of majority rule and individual rights in the country.