Massachusetts Constitution, Articles 15. Military subordinate to civil power
Massachusetts Constitution – Article XIV (14): Standing Armies
This provision is part of the Massachusetts Declaration of Rights, which functions similarly to a Bill of Rights. Article XIV addresses concerns about standing armies and civilian control of the military, principles that were especially important during and after the American Revolution.
📜 Full Text of Article XIV – Massachusetts Constitution:
"No standing army shall be kept up in time of peace, without the consent of the legislature; and the military power shall always be held in exact subordination to the civil authority, and be governed by it."
✅ Plain Language Summary:
No peacetime standing army is allowed unless the legislature approves it.
The military must always remain under civilian control, meaning it is subordinate to elected government.
Reinforces the civilian supremacy in government — a cornerstone of democratic governance.
⚖️ Why It Matters:
Protects citizens from the threat of military overreach or authoritarianism.
Prevents the executive from unilaterally maintaining armed forces.
Reflects deep-rooted anti-monarchical sentiment and concern about individual liberty, key themes in early American political thought.
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