The Conversation Weekly The Making of an Autocrat: co-opt the military
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Jan 4, 2026 Joe Wright, a political science professor at Penn State and expert on dictatorships, delves into alarming trends in U.S. military involvement under Trump. He shares his Chilean experiences, warning about the dangers of illegal military orders. Wright discusses the implications of militaries becoming politicized and how loyalist appointments can threaten democracy. He highlights the risk of targeting domestic opponents and explores whether military personnel might refuse unlawful commands, hoping for a commitment to lawful conduct.
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Early Encounter With Pinochet
- Joe Wright recalled meeting General Pinochet at a military academy event while studying in Santiago de Chile in 1996.
- Pinochet remained revered by some despite recent transition from military rule and widespread repression under his regime.
Professional Militaries Uphold Rule Of Law
- Western liberal democracies keep the military professional and apolitical to protect civilian rule and peace.
- Professional officers are trained to disobey illegal orders and distinguish legal from illegal commands.
Refuse Illegal Orders
- Military personnel must refuse illegal orders, as emphasized by Democratic lawmakers' video in November.
- Joe Wright warns that replacing impartial military lawyers with loyalists makes illegal orders more likely to be given and followed.