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.
Their Future: A History of Ahistoricism in International Development
English Summary
The article argues that international development assistance suffers from 'ahistoricism,' meaning practitioners frequently design and assess programs without adequately considering historical context or local circumstances. This neglect stems from bureaucratic pressures, managerial routines, and abstract theoretical models that overlook specific national particularities. To improve efficacy, the author calls for a fundamental shift that reintroduces historical study and comparative experience into the theory and practice of aid. Policy implications suggest that foreign aid strategies must move beyond standardized models, integrating deep historical research to ensure programs are locally relevant and resilient against political challenges.
中文摘要
本文論述國際發展援助存在「非歷史性」（ahistoricism）問題，意指實務工作者在設計和評估項目時，往往未能充分考量歷史背景或當地的特殊情況。這種疏忽源於官僚壓力、管理常規，以及過於抽象的理論模型，導致忽略了各國獨特的國家特殊性。為提高援助的有效性，作者呼籲進行根本性的轉變，將歷史研究和比較經驗重新納入援助的理論與實踐之中。政策意涵指出，外援策略必須超越標準化的模式，整合深入的歷史研究，以確保援助項目具有高度的在地相關性，並能抵禦政治挑戰，展現韌性。
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