civilian authority
Government without uniforms
Civilian authority is governmental power held by non-military officials, as distinct from military command.
The principle that elected leaders and civil servants—not generals—direct national policy is fundamental to democratic governance.
A president or parliament exercises civilian authority over the armed forces: The military operates under civilian authority.
The term often appears in discussions of coups or military overreach.
- commander in chiefHighest military leader
- governmentAuthority over a state
- elected officialsLeaders chosen by vote
- lawBinding principle or regulation
- orderMethodical arrangement or request
constitution · defense policy · war powers · parliament · accountability · power of the purse · rule · rule of law · democracy · statute · executive branch · judicial review · checks and balances · popular sovereignty · ordinance · democratic governance · chain of command · lawful orders
civilian authoritymilitary rule
Government by armed forces
military command · military authority · military dictatorship · martial law · military junta
civilian authoritytheocracy
Rule by religious authority
religious authority · divine authority · papal authority · church authority · canon law
civilian, authority, civil, civility, civilize, civilization, civilized, uncivilized, civics