The military is one of the most important institutions of any country. Its role and relationship to a nation's government and other institutions is critical in understanding how a particular society operates. Issues such as civilian primacy , a system in which the military is subordinate to a civilian government , or the costs and efficiency of a military system can seriously impact a country's economy, its ability to defend itself and its overall position in the world community.
Military history is as much about politics as it is about battles and campaigns.
The political object is the goal, war is the means of reaching it, and means can never be considered in isolation from their purpose.