Democratization and the Post-Communist Militaries: United States Support for Democratization in the Czech and Russian Militaries
Ulrich, Marybeth Peterson
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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/82591
Description
Title
Democratization and the Post-Communist Militaries: United States Support for Democratization in the Czech and Russian Militaries
Author(s)
Ulrich, Marybeth Peterson
Issue Date
1996
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Kolodziej, Edward A.
Department of Study
Political Science
Discipline
Political Science
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
History, European
Language
eng
Abstract
This study focuses on the role of military institutions in the democratic transitions of post-communist states. The main thesis is that political systems matter and are, indeed, determinants of patterns of civil-military relations. Authoritarian and democratic political systems produce different forms of civilian control and military professionalism. Consequently, shifts in political systems necessarily result in changed patterns of civilian control and military professionalism. I argue that concentrating on two critical dimensions of the military democratization problem--democratic political control and democratic military professionalism--will address the democratization needs which transitioning militaries face. I explore these concepts in-depth and identify specific issue areas on which both internal and external policymakers can focus to further the democratization of post-communist militaries. Building these patterns of democratic political control and democratic military professionalism should be the aim of all involved in the military democratization process in post-communist states. Ignoring the process of democratization of military institutions risks the overall process of democratic consolidation within the transitioning state and the protection of the society's democratic gains. The case study method is used to explore the specific problems of military democratization and democratization assistance in Russia and the Czech Republic. The dimensions of the military democratization problem are applied to these post-communist military institutions with the goal of assessing progress made and democratization needs that remain as the transitions progress. An examination of the US military's democratization programs in place in the former Soviet bloc, however, clearly shows that no such understanding of the scope of the military democratization problem exists among US policymakers. Consequently, the contributions that these programs have made toward building patterns of democratic political control and democratic military professionalism has been negligible. Policy recommendations include focusing military to military contacts between consolidated democracies and transitioning states on specific dimensions of the military democratization problem developed in the theoretical chapters. The models developed and conclusions drawn in this endeavor offer some solutions to both theorists and policymakers studying the problem of military democratization in the transitioning states, and consequently, may make some contribution toward their democratic consolidation.
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