International studies, Vol. III No. 3, 2003.
Original scientific paper
Challenges of the Professionalization of the Croatian Armed Forces
Siniša Tatalović
; Faculty of Political Science, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Vlatko Cvrtila
; Faculty of Political Science, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
International security environment, which is characterized by interwoven new threats and dangers, demands from the modem states to establish multifunctional structures in their national security system. Armed forces were the first to acknowledge and accept existence of new tasks and they underwent certain reorganization in order to accomplish those tasks so that they could continue to represent a legitimate instrument of national security in the new security environment. Debates on reforms in the field of national defense cannot be simply reduced to deciding upon on abolition of military service or/and professionalization of armed forces, but there is a pressing need to discuss other very important issues as well. Debates on a different type of replenishment of armed forces prevail in discussions regarding reforms in defense systems and armed forces in Europe, which ensue from presumption of demilitarization of democratic societies. They no longer face any direct military threat, but are threatened by a whole range of other dangers, which implies indispensable structure and institutional changes in national security systems. Armed forces are undergoing the most complicated changes and alterations. Under circumstances of lessened military threat there is no need for an army with a great number of soldiers and thus the first changes referred to reduction of number of soldiers. As numerous simplifications of actual problems in the field of defense have emerged (for instance persistence on abolition of military service could have major repercussions on many parts of defense system, but this issue is out of discussion) it is necessary to put the issue of future development of defense system and the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia under a comprehensive discussion.
Keywords
national security; armed forces; professionalization of the army; military service; Croatia
Hrčak ID:
286977
URI
Publication date:
30.9.2003.
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