Lesson Note for YR 1 Pol 126 Military in Politics

Course contents: POL 126 Military in Politics

1.      The meaning of Military and Politics

2.      The traditional role of the military

3.      Reasons for military intervention in politics

4.       Structure of military government and legitimacy

5.      Problems of military disengagement in politics

6.      The impact of military rule on the development of democracy in Africa

WHAT IS MILITARY

The military is an arm of government authorized to use lethal force, and weapons, to support the interests of the state and some or all of its citizens. The task of the military is usually defined as defenses of the state and its citizens, and the prosecution of war against another state. The military may also have additional sanctioned and non-sanctioned functions within a society, including, the promotion of a political agenda, protecting corporate economic interests, internal population control, construction, emergency services, social ceremonies, and guarding important areas. The military can also function as a discrete sub-culture within a larger civil society, through the development of separate infrastructures, which may include housing, schools, utilities, food production and banking.

The military are groups of people that are given power to defend mostly a country. They are armed, and called the armed forces. The military protects its country by defending it from the armed forces of enemies, in case of any war. The military takes instruction from the government of the country to attack another country that wants to fight them. "Military" as a word comes from Latin miles, meaning warrior.

Military has many jobs of which some jobs are for fighting and some are for other work to support the military activities. The things they do in the military are use weapons, drive vehicles, and repair weapons. Some other people in the military learn how to fly aircraft, pilot ships, or repair engines. The military usually wear clothes called a uniform. In some places, especially where there may be combat, a uniform often comes in a camouflage pattern which is designed to make the person hard to see in the forest or desert.

  In many countries, people join the military because they want to. In other countries, there are laws that some people have to be in the military, even if they do not want to be. The United States call it military training while in Nigeria it is given to those who serve their fatherland National Youth Service Corp (NYSC).. It usually depends on age and physical fitness. People who have been in the military but have left or retired are called “veterans”. People who have been in military and now work in civilian life, but are ready be called back to service, are called reservists. The military of a country is usually divided into different branches organizations that do different kinds of work. These branches usually are:

·         Army (land) – A military force of soldiers mainly on land or driving in land vehicles. They also use helicopters.

·         Navy (sea) – A military force that uses ships and boats. They also sometimes have planes. People in a navy are called sailors unless they are officers or pilots.

·         Air force (air) – A military force that uses mainly airplanes.

 Military is a special field that has more branches that do more specialized work. For example, in the United States and United Kingdom there military are engaged in this specialized duty:

·         Marines – Military groups that serve on ships, they are trained to fight on land when needed. Their main job is to attack by landing on enemy beaches. They work closely with a navy, but are not sailors. They may also have their own boats, planes, and helicopters that facilitate their movement.

Some big countries even have small units which perform special actions which are very difficult. They are called Special Forces.

There are also mercenaries, soldiers who fight just for pay and have little loyalty to whomever might hire them, and Private Military Contractors (PMC), which are under the command of a company (civilian company). The Medieval Italian condottieri were a historical example of PMCs. A warlord may have a private army, which are often no more trustworthy than common gangsters or criminals.

Military Terms & Training

In most countries of the world, young men and (in a few countries) women between 17 and 18 and of good health may be forced by the government of their country to join the military and have military training. This is called "conscription". The countries that do not have conscription include Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, France, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Malta, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, and the United Kingdom. In some countries, such as Argentina and United States, conscription is legal, but is not used, at the present time.

When a person wants to join the military as a volunteer, they "enlist". (This means simply that they put their name on a list.) They have to be above a certain age, 17 or 18 in most countries. They have to pass physical fitness tests to show that they are well enough to do the jobs that they will have to do. They must also have good enough hearing, to hear orders, and good enough sight to use a rifle or gun.

New people in the military are often called “recruits”. They have training at a special camp, sometimes called “boot camp" or "basic training". The training keeps the recruits busy and usually have very little free time for themselves. They learn to understand the "orders" or "commands" that are given by the officers to the "troops". The military people in a group are known as the troops. They are thought the right ways to obey the orders. Lots of exercises are introduced to them to improve their physical fitness and strength. They learn how to use weapons, first aid, and their uniforms and "kit". Their equipment is known as their kit. Recruits also learn how to March, which is the way to walk together keeping “in step”. March learning is sometimes called “drill”. When the soldiers finish from "boot camp", they should know enough to be a helpful person in their group. The camp usually finishes with a parade in which the newly trained recruits show off their marching and other skills they have learnt in front of important visitors. Once the recruits are fully trained, they are ready to defend (protect) their country from attack, or to go to war, if necessary/need be.

Politics: Majority, renowned scholars and some political scientists often use the words politics and political science to denote the same thing thereby using the two terms interchangeably. Though some differences still exist among the two, it is believed that the term politics is derived from a Greek word Polis which means city-state.

Polis or the city- state was the most popular and general form of political organization. Every polis or city- state had its own form of government, administration, management etc and all these did not depend upon the size of the polis or city-state. Thus politics means the political affairs or administration of polis. Thus politics is understood to denote something about polis or city-state.

Politics is the activities associated with the governance of a country, it cannot be separated with   politics from the affairs of state and these affairs are associated with the administration and decision making issues of state In this sense politics is used to mean as a type of instrument or vehicle to achieve definite purpose. In this sense politics is used to mean a type of instrument or vehicle to achieve a definite purpose.

Politics as the study of the Government: Some Political Scientists like Paul Janet, George Catlin, Hans, Eulan have accepted the view which states that politics deals with the state and government. Paul Janet writes “Political Science is concerned with the foundations of the state and principles of government. George Catlin states “Politics means either the activities of political life or the study of these activities. And these activities are generally treated as activities of the various organs of government.” Prof Hans Eulan considers in his definition of politics that the study of formal government is a fundamental concern of politics.

The Oxford English Dictionary defines Political Science as “the study of the state and systems of government.” Politics as the study of national Institution:- Bridal expressed the view that “Political Science is, above all, descriptive study which brings together the description of national political institutions, their history, their ideological principles, their working, the forces that direct them, the influence they undergo, the results they obtain and their effect on the life of the country and its relations with neighboring states “.

The Traditional Role of the Military

From time immemorial the military has been known for protection of the citizenry, mostly in terms of war or any other external aggression or violence. They are not also left behind in terms of internal crisis. The Police Force are mainly the section created for peace and order in the country, but where it gets out of hand the military are invited to help in peace keeping order wise there will be a chaos in the country. It is the duty of the Police Force to maintain peace, order and harmony in the country and to see the life and property of the citizen is secured. In the case of Nigerian security especially now that the security system is porous both the Police and the Army work hand in hand to see that peace reigns.

The traditional role of the military is stipulated in sections 217 of the 1999 constitution and section 215 of the 1989 constitution of the federal government of Nigeria have three roles or duties as follows:

i.                    Defending Nigeria from external aggression

ii.                  Maintaining its territorial integrity and securing its boarders from violation on land , sea or air

iii.                Suppressing insurrection and acting in and of civil authorities to restore order when called upon to do so by the president but subject such conditions as may be prescribed by the national assembly.

Since these are stipulated duties of the military it is quite unfortunate that they have failed to abide by what they were trained for. They also abandoned their duties and joined politics as military in politics which is the course code of this discus.

Features / Characteristics of Military Government

1. They lack legitimacy: this has to do with their leadership style which is full of dictatorship which is unacceptable by the masses
2. Centralization of Authority: this also has to do with sharing of power which is in few hands. Their power is concentrated in central authority denying the people or civilians getting inner circle.
3. Rule of decrees and edicts: the military issues decree to the ruled whether they like it or not, therefore they issue order which is authoritative and cannot be negotiable.
4. No regard for fundamental right   
5. The rule of law are worthless when it comes to military rule
6. In terms of the workings of the organs of government it has no value in military government
7. In terms of principles of separation of power it is a no go area as far as the military is concerned
8. Democracy is being silenced or suspended

Reasons for Military Interventions in Politics

i.                    Personal ambition to rule

ii.                  Bribery and corruption

iii.                Protection of sectional ethnic interest

iv.                Breakdown of law and order

v.                  Embezzlement and misappropriation of fund

vi.                Desire to stay in power for a long time

vii.              Foreign influence

viii.            Absence of free and fair credible election

Structure of Military Government and its Legitimacy

The Presidency: it is assumed that any president in the country becomes the overall head of his entire subjects. Therefore the military head of state is the head of state and head of government as he discharges his duties judiciously. He presides or is the chairman of federal executive council and also the ruling council. 

The Ruling Council: this body is the highest legislative council, they make laws like decrees and approves every important matters at all national level. This body is very strong in such that without them approving certain essential matters the country will not move from forward. Different regimes have their own names but still perform the same thing or function. For instance the Supreme Military Council (SMC) was what J. T. U. Aguiyi Ironsi, Yakubu Gowon, Murtala Muhammed, Obasanjo and Buhari used during their own administrations. While during Ibrahim Babanginda administration from August 27, 1985- 26 August 1993 it was changed to be Armed Forces Ruling Council (AFRC) whereas, the Abacha-Abdusalami era they called it the Provisional Ruling Council (PRC); the council comprises ass the senior military officers and commander of major military formation, chief of general staff, chief of Army staff, chief of Nevy staff and the overall chairman is the head of state (president).

Note: during the tenure of Gen. Aguyi Ironsi, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, the military state governors were included then, but in the administration of Murtala Mohammed the state military governors were not included as a member of the council.

National Council of Ministers: The name was renamed in 1985 by the Buhari administration. The national council were in charge of formulation and implementation of government policies, advices the head of state concerning the policy initiatives, make available data for day to day administration of the government.

Note: under the Gowon’s administration, Obafemi Awolowo was the vice chairman executive council and also serves as the Federal Commission of Finance. 

The National Council of State: this was first created in 1975 during the Murtala Muhammed’s regime. It is very important body whereby they act as the adiviser to the head of state concerning crucial matters in the country. The member includes: head of state who is the chairman, chief of

general staff, former heads of state, all the military governors/administrators, one first class traditional ruler from each of the federation.

The state military governors /Administrators: they are the chief executive officer of states. It is by appointment from the head of state. The duty of the administrator is to be in

charge of his state, works as both executive and legislative functions and promulgates edict into law, sees that law and order are maintained, Prepares the budget of the state, he appoints his commissioners for assisting him on the day to day running of  state.

The state Executive Council: they are the major organs in terms of formulation and implementation of government programmes/policies. They advise the state administrator on political matters, initiates edicts and make prompt available data for the preparation of the state budget. They also help in maintenance of law and order. Member of this body includes; the administrator of governor as the chairman, commander of the military staff of the state, the state police commissioners, the secretary to the state government, other members depend on the magnanimity of the administrator on ground. In democratic government they are called State House of Assembly.

Dates and various types of Coup d’état in Nigeria

S/N	Date	Type of Coup d’état	Leader over thrown	leader of Coup d’état
1	15th Jan. 1966	Successful	Alhaji Tafawa Balewa  (murderd)	Major Chukwuma  Kaduna Nzeogwu
2	29th July 1966	Successful	Major Gen. J. T. U. Aguyi Ironsi	Lt. Col. Yakubu Gowon
3	29th July 1975	Successful	Yakubu Gowon (not killed)	Brig. Gen. Murtala  Ramat Muhammed
4	13th Feb. 1976	Unsuccessful	Murtala Muhammed (killed)	Lt. Col. Sukar Bukar  Dimka
5	31 Dec. 1983	Successful	Alhaji Shehu Shagari	Major Gen. Muhammed  Buhari
6	27th Aug. 1985	Successful	Gen.Muhammed Buhari (not  murderd)	Gen. Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida
7	22nd April  1990	Unsuccessful	IBB (not overthrown)	Major Gideon Orka
8	17th Nov. 1993	Successful	Chief Ernest Shonekan Head of Interim government (ING) (not killed)	Gen. Sani Abacha

Problems & Failures of Military Government

9. violation of human rights
10. avarice and thirst for power
11. protection and promotion of ethnicity and have sectional interest
12. changes policies /law without the concert of the populace
13. bribery and corruption as the order of the day
14. enjoys being in power for a life time
15. they are undemocratic
16. promotes lawlessness
17. misappropriation of fund and embezzlement
18. disregard for rule of law
19. full of disrespect for human feeling and thought
20. sees the civilian as bloody civilians
21. they are deadly

The Differences between Coup D’état and Revolution

COUP D’ETAT Ajor	REVOLUTION
1.Mainly to effect political change in leadership	1.      To effect socio-political change, i.e. social Transformation.
2. Highly, enclavistic, the work of a clique of conspirators working secretly to overthrow an existing government or existing individuals in a government.	2. The result of popular mobilization of an oppressed people over a period of time, with a large scale organization, strategy and tactics.
3. Relies mainly on the Armed Forces and public sympathy	3. The target is often to overthrow existing sociopolitical and economic order. It often relies on the people and the Vanguard Party or Mass Movement
4. Could be the result of external forces and intervention on behalf of, and in support of local allies, e.g. U.S intervention in Chile, and Grenada, Tanzania’s, intervention in Uganda, in order to toust Idi Amin.	4. Mainly the result of internal factors mainly social frustration, corruption, poverty, dictatorship, oppression. But receive inspiration from successful revolution, elsewhere.
5. Relies on circumstance, change and elaborate planning with strategic places as targets – airports, seaports, radio/TV stations, military installations and communications network.	5. Carried out by threats, sabotage, propaganda or even armed insurrection. And often based on an ideology which is built around freedom, social justice, truth, equality and democracy, as an alternative to decadent status quo.
6. Can take place during period of wealth. Takes place at night to reduce the possibility of civilian causalities.	6. Exploits public frustration, can break out at any time.
7. Leads mainly to reforms aimed at stabilizing the political system.	7. Leads to social transformation.