An Analysis of the Military Role in the War on Drugs

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to present a critical analysis of the military role in the drug "war" in America. To do this, the author believes it is necessary to determine whether the present drug crisis is truly a "war"; and if it is, how should the military's role in it be defined, and what should that role be? Carl von Clausewitz' theories on absolute war and limited war will serve as a basis to define "war." Next, assuming that Clausewitz' theories on war have some relevancy to the drug crisis, the military's role in combating the drug war will be examined. To do this, Clausewitz' theory on the political character of war, and the paradoxical trinity of war will be used to define/suggest drug policy formulation and the military's role in the drug war.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 1989
Accession Number
ADA437545

Entities

People

  • Shirley E. Barnes

Organizations

  • National War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Human Systems
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • African Americans
  • Civil Rights
  • Drug Abuse
  • Governments
  • Law
  • Law Enforcement
  • Leadership
  • Military Personnel
  • National Security
  • New York
  • Security
  • South America
  • Students
  • United States
  • Violence
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies
  • Political Violence and Terrorism Studies.