The article argues that recent executive overreach and politicization have severely undermined established norms of U.S. civil-military relations. To restore professional standards, the incoming Congress must actively exercise its oversight powers, moving beyond mere criticism to demanding transparency in defense policy and personnel decisions. Key reforms include enforcing meritocratic promotion processes, requiring documented justification for senior officer removals, and preventing the partisan use of the military. These actions are crucial for bolstering public trust and ensuring the military remains a nonpartisan instrument of civilian control.
Libertarianism Is Equality of Permission
English Summary
The article argues that the functioning of any political institution, including democratic republics, relies fundamentally not on legal structures or constitutions, but on the shared moral sentiments and ethical character of the populace. While institutions are necessary, they are insufficient if citizens lack a collective respect for self, other, and transcendence. Therefore, maintaining a stable republic requires cultivating a shared moral order and civic virtue, suggesting that ethical considerations are paramount to effective governance. Policy efforts must therefore focus on fostering shared moral standards and civic dialogue rather than solely relying on legal or institutional reforms.
中文摘要
本文論述，任何政治機構，包括民主共和國，其運作的根本依據並非法律結構或憲法，而是民眾共同的道德情感與倫理品格。儘管制度是必要的，但若公民缺乏對自我、他者和超越性的集體尊重，這些制度便是不夠的。因此，維持一個穩定的共和國，必須培養共同的道德秩序和公民美德，暗示了倫理考量對於有效治理至關重要。政策努力因此必須著重於培育共同的道德標準和公民對話，而非單純依賴法律或制度上的改革。
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