The philanthropic string: medical aspects of military strategy.
Since antiquity, medical care has played an important role in both military strategy and conflict resolution. Although this is usually a negative and an unintended event, medical care can be a positive and a rational alternative to present-day weapons of mass destruction. Yet, military and civilian planners have not traditionally accepted, recognized, and used a "philanthropic string." Nevertheless, medical care can be an important factor in resolving international conflict, either in support of military operations or as a separate function. Therefore, it is timely, and pragmatic, to include humanitarian medical care in strategic military planning.
Dressler
D P
DP
Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Hozid
J L
JL
D000533:Altruism; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D008889:Military Personnel; D008891:Military Science; D011640:Public Policy; D012066:Relief Work; D014481:United States