CSS Speaker Series: [Book Talk] Dangerous Instrument – Political Polarization and U.S. Civil Military Relations by Dr. Michael A. Robinson moderated by Dr. Heidi Urben
Tuesday, February 20, 2024, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Car Barn 206
RSVP
Join the Center for Security Studies for a conversation with Dr. Michael A. Robinson on his book Dangerous Instrument – Political Polarization and U.S. Civil Military Relations moderated by Dr. Heidi Urben.
A valuable insight into the American civil-military dynamics, this session will help those interested in understanding the concept of “politicization” in the armed forces and recommendations on preserving a non-partisan military.
This event is free and open to SSP students, alumni, other SFS graduate students and the GU Community.
Copies of the book will be sold at this event.
About the book
In a data-driven analysis of contemporary American attitudes, Dangerous Instrument examines the current state of U.S. civil-military affairs, probing how the public views their military and the effect that partisan tribalism may have on that relationship in the future. Dr. Michael A. Robinson develops a framework for understanding the concept of “politicization” and studies the sources and potential limits of American trust in the armed services, focusing on the interplay of the public, political parties, media outlets, and the military itself. As democratic institutions face persistent pressure worldwide, Dangerous Instrument provides important insights into the contemporary arc of American civil-military affairs and delivers recommendations on ways to preserve a non-partisan military.
The views expressed are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, the Department of Defense, or any part of the U.S. government.
About the Speaker
Michael A. Robinson is an active-duty Army strategist and Adjunct Associate Professor at Georgetown University. He holds a Ph.D. and MA in Political Science from Stanford University (2018) and a B.S. in International Relations (Honors) from the United States Military Academy (2009). He is a Term Member at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR and a former Non-Resident Fellow at the Modern War Institute (MWI) at West Point. A scholar in civil-military relations, his research has been published in Armed Forces & Society, Orbis, Journal of Conflict Resolution, The Washington Post, and The New York Times, and he is also the author of the book Dangerous Instrument: Political Polarization and U.S. Civil-Military Relations (Oxford University Press, 2022).
Accessibility
For requests for accommodations due to a disability or medical condition, contact securitystudies@georgetown.edu no later than February 13, 2024. A good faith effort will be made to fulfill all accommodation requests.