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5. Michael Desch

Michael Desch

Professor of Political Science

Desch is the author of “Power and Military Effectiveness: The Fallacy of Democratic Triumphalism,” a term he coined to describe an emerging belief among scholars and policymakers “that democracies are uniquely virtuous and capable in international affairs.” He says those who embrace this idea tend to assume democracies won’t go to war with each other. "Recently, a variation of this argument has attracted lots of attention: the belief that when democracies go to war with non-democracies, they are more likely to win those wars,” he said. He also is the author of “When the Third World Matters: Latin America and U.S. Grand Strategy” and “Civilian Control of the Military: The Changing Security Environment.” Desch currently is researching the President’s Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board and exploring when and how social science theory affects U.S. national security policy.

VIDEOS

ND EXPERTS

Romney will ‘grasp at straws’ in tonight’s debate

Romney’s challenge? To make Obama look like Carter on foreign policy

Obama’s ‘team of rivals’ signals caution

ND NEWSWIRE ARTICLES

Despite presidential prod, Professor comes to ND

IN THE NEWS

Reuters/Fox/Chicago Tribune—Obama comes out swinging after debate — in swing states

Reuters/CNBC/Chicago Tribune, etc.—Analysis: Obama regains his footing in feisty second debate

Independence.ie—Andy Sullivan: ‘It wasn’t that Romney got worse – Obama got a lot better’

Associated Press—In Nevada, Obama makes play for veteran support

Time Magazine—An Army Apart: The Widening Military-Civilian Gap

CRI—The Beijing Hour 9/23

CRI—The Beijing Hour 9/21

Foreign Policy Magazine—Swim against the tide: Recognize Palestine at the U.N.

USA Today—Clinton stays on message as Egypt evolves

World Politics Review—Over the Horizon: Warning Signs in U.S. Civil-Military Relations

Foreign Policy—Why have the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan been so corrosive of civil-military relations?

USA Today—Obama prepares to deliver Oval Office address on Iraq

Christian Science Monitor—Time for Obama to Rethink Afghanistan War Strategy

PBS NewsHour—Political Fallout of McChrystal Ouster Examined

Voice of America—Analysis: Democracies Often At Odds With Military Authority

Public Radio International—Obama’s national security strategy

WSBT Radio—Iran’s Nuclear Desires