Ministries of Defense and Democratic Control

In: http://hdl.handle.net/10945/43288

Abstract

Armed Forces and Society: New Challenges and Environments / International Political Science Association Research Committee 24 ; The existence of a ministry of defense (MOD) is an important basic indicator of the quality of civilmilitary relations in a country. Although some of these ministries are hardly more than facades, with no power whatsoever, others have assumed increasingly important roles as catalysts and platforms for the consolidation of democratic civil-military relations. This paper explains why they are created and identifies those conditions and actions necessary for the ministries to formulate effective and efficient defense strategies while ensuring democratic civilian control.