The Key Role of NATO Accession on Poland's Democratic Transition

The Key Role of NATO Accession on Poland's Democratic Transition PDF Author: Jaroslaw Jablonski
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781423507871
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 75

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Book Description
The accession of Poland into NATO in the spring of 1999 raises the question of how western attempts to transfer democratic institutions to new democracies in central Europe operated in reality as concerns reform and reaction. Among the obstacles to this process was a western ignorance shout domestic social challenges and political conflicts. These go hand in hand with the process of democratic transition and show themselves starkly in the case of Polish politics, society and military institutions in the years before 1999. While transitioning to democracy, Poland experienced two types of threats: one from civilian politicians who tried to use the military to accomplish their political goals, and another from military officers with political ambitions. After the collapse of communism in 1959, Polish military forces remained highly visible in domestic politics for almost a decade and the issue of civil-military relations was at the center of government crises on three occasions. Democratic civilian control over military, a requirement to join NATO, became one of the primary political goals of an overwhelming majority of Polish elites since society saw the membership as the best guarantee of national security and a peaceful future. Politicians and government officials who didn't accept or understand this determination were eventually voted out, dismissed, or now exist on the fringes of political life. NATO's plan for Poland to nova toward full membership in the alliance resulted in a peaceful democratic transition.

The Key Role of NATO Accession on Poland's Democratic Transition

The Key Role of NATO Accession on Poland's Democratic Transition PDF Author: Jaroslaw Jablonski
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781423507871
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 75

Get Book Here

Book Description
The accession of Poland into NATO in the spring of 1999 raises the question of how western attempts to transfer democratic institutions to new democracies in central Europe operated in reality as concerns reform and reaction. Among the obstacles to this process was a western ignorance shout domestic social challenges and political conflicts. These go hand in hand with the process of democratic transition and show themselves starkly in the case of Polish politics, society and military institutions in the years before 1999. While transitioning to democracy, Poland experienced two types of threats: one from civilian politicians who tried to use the military to accomplish their political goals, and another from military officers with political ambitions. After the collapse of communism in 1959, Polish military forces remained highly visible in domestic politics for almost a decade and the issue of civil-military relations was at the center of government crises on three occasions. Democratic civilian control over military, a requirement to join NATO, became one of the primary political goals of an overwhelming majority of Polish elites since society saw the membership as the best guarantee of national security and a peaceful future. Politicians and government officials who didn't accept or understand this determination were eventually voted out, dismissed, or now exist on the fringes of political life. NATO's plan for Poland to nova toward full membership in the alliance resulted in a peaceful democratic transition.

The Polish Road to Security and Stability

The Polish Road to Security and Stability PDF Author: Dariusz Zalewski
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781423537861
Category : National security
Languages : en
Pages : 101

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Book Description
Faced at the outset with obstacles of the international system of states and of domestic politics, Poland embraced the tasks of accession to NATO. In this effort, no road map existed for what was an unprecedented situation. Thus, Poland had to resolve domestic and international tasks of accession with national means as well as guidance from the alliance and its members. Poland had to structure a new defense policy in an alliance context. The country had to reform the national security decision-making apparatus, which, in its most dramatic dimension, required the fashioning of democratic civil-military relations. The latter process, also, involved input from the domestic arena as well as those from the alliance members. This process took time as the alliance itself figured out the path forward and there were difficulties in Poland because of the possibility that Poland might fail. Nonetheless, these problems aside, Polish society and politics held sure to the sole aim of accession to NATO. This thesis argues that, with the successful accession to NATO, Poland secured its place in the West, which the events of the 20th century had denied this nation heretofore. Thus, Polish security rests on the stronger foundation, far greater then that possible with national means alone.

Poland and NATO

Poland and NATO PDF Author: Jeffrey Simon
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 9780742529946
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 220

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Book Description
Poland and NATO is the third book by Jeffrey Simon on emerging post-communist countries to recently join NATO. As with the previous two volumes, this book contains a treasure of firsthand research grounded in primary source material and personal interviews with key civil and military leaders.

NATO Enlargement

NATO Enlargement PDF Author: Ted Galen Carpenter
Publisher: Cato Institute
ISBN: 9781882577590
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 300

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Book Description
The decision to expand NATO eastward is a fateful venture that has received surprisingly little public attention. Advocates of enlargement insist that the step will foster cooperation, consolidate democracy, and promote stability throughout Europe. But the contributors to this volume conclude that an expanded NATO is a dubious, potentially disastrous idea. Instead of healing the wounds of the Cold War, it threatens to create a new division of Europe and undermine friendly relations with Russia. Even worse, it will establish expensive, dangerous, and probably unsustainable security obligations for the United States.

Poland and NATO After the Cold War

Poland and NATO After the Cold War PDF Author: Robert Kupiecki
Publisher:
ISBN: 9788366213067
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 237

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Book Description


NATO's Transformation

NATO's Transformation PDF Author: Philip H. Gordon
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 9780847683857
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 304

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Book Description
This timely volume assesses NATO's current accomplishments, continuing challenges, and potential pitfalls. Leading international scholars and policymakers explore three key themes influencing NATO's future: transatlantic relations, the debate over enlargement, and the organization's new functions. Weighing the fate of an alliance poised for renewal or decline, the contributors offer informed analysis and discussion of an organization that has changed profoundly over the past five years and continues to evolve in the face of an uncertain global environment.

Open Door

Open Door PDF Author: Daniel S. Hamilton
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781733733922
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
NATO's decision to open itself to new members and new missions is one of the most contentious and least understood issues of the post-Cold War world. This book, an unusual and intriguing blend of memoirs and scholarship, takes us back to the decade when those momentous decisions were made. Former senior officials from the United States, Russia, Western and Eastern Europe who were directly involved in the decisions of that time describe their considerations, concerns, and pressures. They are joined by scholars who have been able to draw on newly declassified archival sources to revisit NATO's evolving role in the 1990s.

Partnership for Peace (PFP)

Partnership for Peace (PFP) PDF Author: Jeffrey Simon
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Electronic government information
Languages : en
Pages : 4

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Book Description


Economie Soviétique À Un Tournant?

Economie Soviétique À Un Tournant? PDF Author: Reiner Weichhardt
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Soviet Union
Languages : en
Pages : 356

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Book Description


Democratic Transitions

Democratic Transitions PDF Author: Sergio Bitar
Publisher: JHU Press
ISBN: 1421417618
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 487

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Book Description
Thirteen former presidents and prime ministers discuss how they helped their countries end authoritarian rule and achieve democracy. National leaders who played key roles in transitions to democratic governance reveal how these were accomplished in Brazil, Chile, Ghana, Indonesia, Mexico, the Philippines, Poland, South Africa, and Spain. Commissioned by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), these interviews shed fascinating light on how repressive regimes were ended and democracy took hold. In probing conversations with Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Patricio Aylwin, Ricardo Lagos, John Kufuor, Jerry Rawlings, B. J. Habibie, Ernesto Zedillo, Fidel V. Ramos, Aleksander Kwasniewski, Tadeusz Mazowiecki, F. W. de Klerk, Thabo Mbeki, and Felipe González, editors Sergio Bitar and Abraham F. Lowenthal focused on each leader’s principal challenges and goals as well as their strategies to end authoritarian rule and construct democratic governance. Context-setting introductions by country experts highlight each nation’s unique experience as well as recurrent challenges all transitions faced. A chapter by Georgina Waylen analyzes the role of women leaders, often underestimated. A foreword by Tunisia’s former president, Mohamed Moncef Marzouki, underlines the book’s relevance in North Africa, West Asia, and beyond. The editors’ conclusion distills lessons about how democratic transitions have been and can be carried out in a changing world, emphasizing the importance of political leadership. This unique book should be valuable for political leaders, civil society activists, journalists, scholars, and all who want to support democratic transitions.