Military Democracy

Claire Harvey in the NZ Herald is appalled that David Morris has said “The Army is not an institution which allows democratic discussion”, comparing the statement to the Nazis at Nuremberg or the My Lai massacure.

Now it goes without saying that following orders does not extend to illegal acts, but as long as the action is not illegal, then such orders are not subject to consensus, voting or even discussion. Harvey is beating up a story out of nothing. It is obvious the former judge was not suggesting that the necessity for obedience extends to illegal acts.

The famous line “We are here to preserve democracy, not practise it” always appeals to me.