The transformation of postcommunist civil-military relations in Poland

Abstract:

This paper examines the transformation of civil-military relations in Poland since 1989 looking at the establishment of democratic control of the armed forces, professionalisation of the military and the relationship of military and society. It argues that domestic influences on civil-military relations in Poland are likely to be driven by the move toward all-volunteer professional armed forces, the unpopularity of conscription and economic constraints on defence spending. The dominant external influences on civil-military relations in Poland will continue to come from integration into western security institutions and the prospect of overseas deployments for the armed forces as in the case of Iraq.