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.
New Labour, New Britain? How the Blair Governments Reshaped the Country
English Summary
The article reassesses the legacy of the Blair government, arguing that despite intense political criticism—particularly over the Iraq War—the administration oversaw significant domestic improvements. Key evidence points to a measurable rise in the quality of life for working Britons, including receding crime rates, reduced homelessness, and substantial investment in medical services, education, and childcare. The analysis suggests that while the government faced structural limitations from the finance sector and subsequent political setbacks, its foundational reforms successfully increased public trust and social stability. This suggests that even when political power is constrained, targeted social investment can yield lasting improvements in national well-being.
中文摘要
本文重新評估了布萊爾政府的歷史貢獻，論點指出，儘管該政府遭受了激烈的政治批評——特別是關於伊拉克戰爭的爭議——但其行政期間仍主導了重大的國內改善。關鍵證據顯示，英國工薪階層的生活品質有了可衡量的提升，包括犯罪率的下降、無家可歸人口的減少，以及醫療服務、教育和育兒方面的大幅投資。分析提出，雖然該政府面臨來自金融部門的結構性限制和後續的政治挫折，但其基礎性改革成功提高了公眾信任和社會穩定。這表明，即使在政治權力受到制約的情況下，有針對性的社會投資仍能為國家福祉帶來持久的改善。
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