Journal Article - Quarterly Journal: International Security
Dangerous Changes: When Military Innovation Harms Combat Effectiveness
Summary
Contrary to the conventional wisdom, military innovation can degrade a state’s military effectiveness as well as strengthen it. This article probes the assumed relationship between innovation and improved effectiveness, concluding that the risk is not always worth taking. Specifically, innovation is most likely to hurt military effectiveness when a state is already overextended—when its commitments outstrip its resources. This commitment resource gap leads the state to cannibalize existing capabilities without clear evidence of effective new ones.
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The full text of this publication is available via the original publication source.
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For Academic Citation:
Kendrick Kuo, "Dangerous Changes: When Military Innovation Harms Combat Effectiveness," International Security, Vol. 47, No. 2 (Fall 2022), pp. 48–87, https://doi.org/10.1162/isec_a_00446.
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Summary
Contrary to the conventional wisdom, military innovation can degrade a state’s military effectiveness as well as strengthen it. This article probes the assumed relationship between innovation and improved effectiveness, concluding that the risk is not always worth taking. Specifically, innovation is most likely to hurt military effectiveness when a state is already overextended—when its commitments outstrip its resources. This commitment resource gap leads the state to cannibalize existing capabilities without clear evidence of effective new ones.
Want to Read More?
The full text of this publication is available via the original publication source.Kendrick Kuo, "Dangerous Changes: When Military Innovation Harms Combat Effectiveness," International Security, Vol. 47, No. 2 (Fall 2022), pp. 48–87, https://doi.org/10.1162/isec_a_00446.
- Recommended
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Paper - Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School
Ukraine-NATO Primer: Membership Options Following the 2023 Annual Summit
Paper - Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School
From the Inside Out: Achieving Long-Term Army Sustainability through Effective Command Climate
In the Spotlight
Most Viewed
Blog Post - Views on the Economy and the World
High Oil Prices Can Help the Environment
Journal Article - Quarterly Journal: International Security
Future Warfare in the Western Pacific: Chinese Antiaccess/Area Denial, U.S. AirSea Battle, and Command of the Commons in East Asia
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The Relationship Between Science and Technology