Expeditionary Economics: The Military's Role in Conflict-Related Development
Abstract
This thesis explores the role of the U.S. military in conflict-related economic development, recently dubbed "expeditionary economics." The thesis examines this role through relevant strategic guidance, development protocol, economic theory, military expediency, and historical military precedent. The examination reveals that while the military has greatly improved the efficacy of its development efforts over the past decade of conflict, specific, practical doctrine is lacking and requires further refinement. Among other shortcomings, doctrine lacks a specific definition of the military's role in conflict-related development. Additionally, the examination reveals a significant, disruptive lack of unity of effort in conflict-related development in both historical and contemporary cases. The military has two primary tasks in conflict- related development: (1) conducting limited development immediately following the end of major combat operations, and (2) controlling and coordinating civilian development efforts during operational phases II, III, and IV. Otherwise, any military development efforts are controlled and coordinated by the U.S. ambassador or designated representative. This thesis defines limited development as reinforcing security, providing humanitarian aid, and fostering stability through corps-type employment, providing basic living needs, and providing basic local infrastructure reconstruction. The military priority is security, then humanitarian aid, then stability.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 08, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA563014
Entities
People
- Hugh W. Jones
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College