Defence Planning in Emerging Democracies: the Case of Romania

Abstract

More than a decade of postcommunist transition has taught us that the degree of democratic control over the military is an indispensable criterion for judging the progress of military reform. For this reason, it is also a central requirement for admission into Euro-Atlantic and European structures. Democratic control of the military has both strategic and tactical aspects. At the strategic level, democracy, especially in its infancy, might be placed at risk if democratic control of the military is not firmly established. Additionally, firm democratic control of the military constitutes a powerful guarantee that the international behaviour of the state actor will not be threatening or warlike. At the tactical level, the military establishment must adapt to a new democratic social environment.