Civil-Military Relations - the role of the NGOs Dr. Ferenc Molnár ZMNDU Center for Strategic and Defense Studies

Aim of the presentation Spreading information about principles, norms, and practice of democratic civil- military relations (DCMR) with regard NGO’s

Topics Defining the democratic civil-military relations and the democratic control of AF’s The role of the NGO`s Lessons learnt in Hungary

The civil-military relations CMR means the relationship between the state and the military, and between the society and the military

The aim of the DCMR Develop a system, which able to maximize military security at the least sacrifice of other social values.

Democratic Control in a wider sense The guiding and checking role of state power branches. Civic activity, NGO-s, media geared towards the military Members in the military (Their democratic values, attitudes).

NATO accepted norms A constitutional and legislative structure with clearly defined responsibilities civilian control over the MoD and the military establishment not just perfunctory parliamentary oversight over security policy and spending transparency of decision making in the interest of accountability informed national debate on security (with state and non-state actors)

Why the NGOs Inherent part of the DCMR Limited capacity of the government

The functions of NGO’s The direct educational function. Effecting the “transition from clientism to citizenship” at the local level. Monitoring the activity of the military and the defense-related decision making process. Spreading out information.

Hungarian experiences Transition period Civil society became political society The defense oriented civil society was weak During the 1990’s more NGO improving activities

The contribution of NGOs informing local communities - presentations: spreading out info - dialogs, debates: examining, eliminating influencing opinion-leaders -conferences -seminars

Difficulties, failures Finding resources (government, political parties, international institutions) Defining topics, methods and target groups One way communication is not enough

Summary Building DCMR meant: -Setting up legal and structural frames; -Educating democratic norms, values in the AFs; -„Warm up” democratic procedures; + The democratic consolidation requires active civil society and NGO’s not just controlling but contributing to the job of defense authorities, and the military.