The Soldier and the Citizen: Examining the U.S. Military’s Non-partisan Norms

Abstract

This dissertation improves our understanding of non-partisan norms in the U.S. military. These norms are an essential part of American civil-military relations because they help ensure the military does not use its latent political power to influence domestic politics or become aligned with a political party. Despite the importance of these norms, we have a limited understanding of them and how they influence U.S. military servicemembers’ political attitudes and behavior. Research in the last few decades suggests that non-partisan norms may be eroding. This research, along with increasing political polarization in America, raises questions about whether the military can remain a non-partisan institution. This dissertation aims to answer some of these questions by improving our understanding of military non-partisan norms. It explores the relationship between U.S. military servicemembers’ non-partisan norms, partisan identities, and political attitudes and behavior. First, it examines recent trends in servicemembers’ partisan affiliation and political activism. Next, it investigates how non-partisan norms influence servicemembers’ political decision-making. Finally, it analyzes the extent and consequences of partisan social conflict among servicemembers. This dissertation finds that military servicemembers are both soldiers and citizens. On the one hand, servicemembers are similar to the American public. They identify as partisans, have partisan biases, and experience social conflict with opposing partisans. On the other hand, servicemembers adhere to military non-partisan norms that, when activated, can reduce bias and partisan conflict. These findings advance our knowledge of American civil-military relations and servicemembers’ political behavior. They also have important implications for civil-military relations theory, scholarship, and practice.