The Straggler: Name That Tune

FOUNDED 1964

Feaver argues that, as elegant as Huntington’s theory is, it doesn’t fit the evidence of the Cold War. To begin with, the U.S. prevailed in the Cold War despite the fact that it did not abandon liberalism: “The evidence shows that American society as a whole almost certainly became even more individualistic and more antistatist than when Huntington warned of the dangers of liberalism in 1957.” Furthermore, during the Cold War, the military became more “civilianized,” through the politicization of the officer corps; and civilians habitually intruded into the military realm. “According to many of the indicators Huntington cited as critical, civilians did not adopt the objective control mechanism” that Huntington himself claimed was so important. Huntington’s theory fails to fit the available evidence, and so—Feaver argues—another theory is required.

About the Author

John Derbyshire

Mr. Derbyshire is a former contributing editor of National Review.

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FOUNDED 1964

Feaver argues that, as elegant as Huntington’s theory is, it doesn’t fit the evidence of the Cold War. To begin with, the U.S. prevailed in the Cold War despite the fact that it did not abandon liberalism: “The evidence shows that American society as a whole almost certainly became even more individualistic and more antistatist than when Huntington warned of the dangers of liberalism in 1957.” Furthermore, during the Cold War, the military became more “civilianized,” through the politicization of the officer corps; and civilians habitually intruded into the military realm. “According to many of the indicators Huntington cited as critical, civilians did not adopt the objective control mechanism” that Huntington himself claimed was so important. Huntington’s theory fails to fit the available evidence, and so—Feaver argues—another theory is required.