Civilian control of the military and of other forces constituting the State monopoly on the use of force is a demanding challenge in theory and practice for any modern society. An optimal system of civilian control will enhance individual and collective security, societal stability and improve democracy. Changes in the State structures and in society often affect civilian control. Russia has been so transformed in the past decade that its current system of civilian control is far from optimal. To optimise civilian contol in any state, profound understanding of the various roles of civilian control is needed. In order to gain such an understanding the rudiments of civilian control are analysed as well as the democratic problem. The need of some military participation in the political process is discussed. A comprehensive checklist of what there is to gain with civilian control is presented together with the Russian views thereon. The multitude of theories and models of civilian control are discoursed and given their historical contexts, helping the reader to understand why they where cherished in some states while rejected in other. The shortcomings of civiliancontrol in Russia are numerous, the impact of Western influences is dubious and the potential for improvements vast.