Using Military Force under International Auspices: A Mixed System of Accountability

Establishing the monopoly of coercion was a crucial feature in the creation of modern states (Damrosch, 2003, pp. 39-60). Ensuring accountability to citizens for the use of military forces was a central component of the struggle to establish democratic forms of government. But since the mid-20^th century, decisions about whether to use military forces can be made in international institutions far from the legislatures that democratic governments have relied on to provide such accountability. The relationship with international institutions raises concern that a country's armed forces will be involved in operations in which it has little stake or that a country's security needs will not be adequately recognised to compel an international response.