The Integration of the Czech Armed Forces into Society

Abstract

The last decade of change in the Czech Republic has introduced a market economy, a pluralistic political system, and democratic values of liberalism, freedom and individualism. In this context, Czech society identified quick integration with Europe and its security system as a political priority. Both politicians and the public recognised that reform of the Czech Republic’s own internal and external security systems would be a precondition of this integration process, and so began to pay significant — if selective — attention to it. Internal security issues — and in particular the establishment of democratic oversight of the intelligence services and the reform of the police — were given priority. In contrast, military issues were de-prioritised. Czech society was convinced early on of the armed forces’ loyalty to the new government and of the reality of democratic civilian control. Once these issues were addressed, society’s attention turned to more vital economic, social and political problems. As a result, the reform of the Czech armed forces became the almost exclusive concern of the politicians in the Ministry of Defence, and senior military officers. It was only after NATO accession and the Kosovo crisis that Czech society began to pay more attention to specifically military issues. This process was intensified by the events of 11 September 2001.