Naslov
The Social Role of Military and Police Institutions

Autori
Matić, Renato

Izvornik
POLEMOS Časopis za interdisciplinarna istraživnaja rata i mira (1331-5595) 11-12 (2003), 1-2; 117-134

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, stručni

Ključne riječi
social institutions; military; police; global threats; use of power; soft use of power instead of hard use of power; responsible and irresponsible strategic decisions
(social institutions; military; police; global threats; use of power; soft use of power)

Sažetak
Fulfilling expectations is the shortest definition of any institution’ s role in society, and the same applies to the military and police. It means dealing with pressing problems. The pressing problems of the 21st century are perennial problems, but now those threats are our own created monsters: terrorism, which has almost replaced the conventional type of warfare ; the international organized crime, whose leaders were created by different “ special needs” of particular governments, and later used the tax-payers’ money to built their own underworld empires ; and environmental destruction, which is turning into destruction of life on Earth. These are just some of many problems and threats to the world’ s future which must be solved, and the key institutions which will be able to neutralize those threats are the military and police. Making and presenting the government’ s decisions about using the military and police to neutralize those threats, and making them acceptable to others (to the citizens who have empowered them ; to the strategic partners) will not be possible by using the same way of thinking which produced those threats in the past. To neutralize future threats to human beings, social institutions – especially the military and police, as well as governments – must switch from the traditional (hard) use of power, aimed at achieving special (selfish) interests, to the “ soft” use of power, aimed at creating the common good.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Sociologija

POVEZANOST RADA