Democratic control of the military

Democratic control of the military means that elected government leaders, such as the president, prime minister, or parliament, have the authority to make decisions about the armed forces' actions, policies, and budgets. This ensures the military remains accountable to the civilian government and, ultimately, to the citizens. It prevents the military from acting independently or unduly influencing politics. In a democracy, civilian leaders set priorities, approve deployments, and oversee military conduct, maintaining a balance of power that protects democratic values and prevents the military from becoming a separate, unaccountable force.