What happens when military leaders break the social contract?

When military leaders break the social contract, they lose moral legitimacy. The social contract is an implicit agreement between the military and the society it serves, where the military is expected to uphold ethical standards, protect citizens, and operate within the bounds of law and morality. When leaders fail to adhere to these principles, it undermines the trust and confidence that the public has in them and the military institution as a whole.

Loss of moral legitimacy can lead to a breakdown in the relationship between the military and the society, resulting in decreased morale among service members and diminished support from the public. This erosion of trust can manifest in various ways, including protests, loss of enlistment interest, and challenges in operational effectiveness, as soldiers may become disillusioned with leadership that does not uphold the ethical values expected of them.

Strengthening authority or gaining public support would typically rely on maintaining trust and ethical conduct. Reaffirming commitment to the mission would not be credible if the trust inherent in the social contract is violated. Thus, losing moral legitimacy is a critical consequence of breaking the social contract, impacting both the military and the society it serves.