14 min • 3 lectures
This course examines the political theory presented by John Ferejohn and Frances McCall Rosenbluth in their work, "Forged Through Fire." The authors argue that modern democracy is not primarily the result of evolving moral values, but rather a pragmatic "democratic bargain" necessitated by mass warfare. Historically, when states faced existential threats, they required the active participation of the common population to fight and produce. To secure this level of sacrifice, elites were forced to offer political concessions, including voting rights and social welfare programs. The lectures trace this development from the citizen-soldiers of ancient Greece to the total mobilization of the 20th century, demonstrating how the expansion of the front lines led directly to the expansion of the franchise. The second part of the course analyzes the current shift toward professionalized, high-tech warfare and its consequences for democratic stability. As nations move away from mass conscription toward small volunteer forces, drones, and cyber capabilities, the state's reliance on the general public decreases. This decoupling of military power from mass participation removes the leverage citizens once held over their governments. The authors suggest that the decline of the democratic bargain explains contemporary trends in rising economic inequality and the weakening of social safety nets. By examining the cooling of the "forge" of war, the course provides a framework for understanding why democracy faces new vulnerabilities in an era of automated conflict.
