Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.46672/po-mest.29.1-2.1
European Defense: A Comparative Analysis of Preparations for High-Intensity Crises in Selected European States
Robert Mikac
; Zagreb University, Faculty of political science
*
Davor Spevec
; Ravnateljstvo civilne zaštite
Iva Žutić
orcid.org/0000-0002-1321-3107
; University of Split
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
The Russian aggression against Ukraine in 2022 fundamentally transformed the European security environment, reactivating the threat of high-intensity crisis and prompting certain European states to rapidly adopt and reconceptualize the concepts of Total Defence and Societal Resilience. This paper conducts a comparative qualitative analysis of these two concepts in selected European states to identify the current state and key challenges in implementing comprehensive national preparedness. The research identifies three key challenges burdening the transition from peacetime to a state of high-intensity crisis and/or war preparedness: 1. institutional misalignment (unclear mandates and lack of coordination between civil and military actors); 2. societal fragmentation (political polarization and distrust in authorities); and 3. logistics financing (the high costs of transitioning from a justin-time to a war-stockpile logic). The research results show that a functional Total Defence is achievable only where a strong political consensus and established societal cohesion exist, as demonstrated by the successful models of Finland and Norway. A comparative
reflection suggests that preparedness for a high-intensity crisis ultimately depends on the political and societal will of a nation to overcome key challenges, rather than solely on the defense budget.
Keywords
Total Defence; Societal Resilience; High-Intensity Crisis; Institutional Misalignment; Societal Fragmentation
Hrčak ID:
346889
URI
Publication date:
5.5.2026.
Visits: 279 *