Americans' views of civil-military relations reveal deference to military judgment and surprisingly partisan attitudes.

## Key Findings

* Survey data indicates low acceptance of civilian leadership in military decisions.

* High deference observed across partisan lines, with Republicans less deferential than expected and Democrats wanting the military as a check against disliked presidents.

## Background & Methods

The study analyzes results from a June 2019 survey probing American perspectives on military authority beyond standard trust polls.

This challenges core democratic theory by showing civilians do not fully embrace civilian control. The findings underscore how deeply political divides affect perceptions of institutional roles, potentially weakening democratic foundations through misplaced public confidence in military power.