General information
Code: P5-0206 orc
Period: 1.1.2018 - 31.12.2027
Range on year: 1.78 FTE | 2018
Project leader at FDV: prof.dr. Marjan Malešič
Research activity: Social sciences
Abstract
This is not a project application but 'the research programme' application. It refers to a collection of different research topics where some are a continuation from earlier research periods and others are new. Members of the research team have academic backgrounds in various social sciences disciplines, which ensures that the research is interdisciplinary. The proposed research programme is thematically organized around four clusters: analysis of threats, including war in Ukraine, international and regional security, crises (disasters), and responses to them, and selected topics in military sociology.
As for threats to security, we will address the war in Ukraine, which threatens the security of the European continent and other parts of the world. We will also address political radicalization and terrorism, cyber threats, organised crime, and the social consequences of the failure of critical infrastructure.
Within international and regional security, we will analyse geostrategic changes in the international security architecture in the light of Russian aggression against Ukraine, and the role of international organisations and the obstacles they encounter in the process of ensuring international security. We will also address regional security issues, especially in South-East Europe, and the attempts of peace-building and reconstruction of conflict-torn societies in that region. The potential secessionist attempts in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Northern Kosovo will be under scrutiny.
Various threats to security that trigger complex crises and crisis response will be our research topic, as well. We will focus on digitalisation of disaster relief in Slovenia and on specific issues related to crisis and crisis response: coordination as an ultimate goal, improvisation as an endemic characteristic of crisis response, paradoxical behaviour of actors, and the burden of complex crisis in critical occupations (medical and military ones).
The research group will examine global military trends that are a consequence of regional conflicts and other crises: changes of roles, structure and organization of armed forces. Special focus will be given to civil-military relations in Western democracies given that civilian leaders poses ever less military knowledge and experience whereas the military frequently becomes politicised. A prominent issue seems to be the use of private military and security companies in armed conflicts, especially in the light of international humanitarian law. We plan to address two more topics in this context: contemporary military family in the light of classical concepts of institution and family and the patriotic awareness of youth.
To answer several research questions listed in our proposal, we will apply multi-method approach, entailing quantitative and qualitative methods: scoping study, interview, comparative method, experimental method, opinion survey, the analysis of statistical data, focus groups and qualitative modelling.
The phases of the project and their realization
Our research is partly a continuation of process from previous research period, and partly a broadened focus on other fields, which have already been introduced in the research proposal. In year 2018 we explored the ways of manning the armed forces in Europe in comparative perspective. In years 2018 and 2019 we upgraded theoretical cognitions about security phenomena. In years 2020 and 2021 we conducted quantitative and qualitative empirical analyses in various sub-fields of research. We intensively explored functioning and effectiveness of national, regional and global security structures. The use of quantitative empirical method of bigger scope in the field of public opinion research was accomplished at the end of year 2021. In years 2022 and 2023 we interpreted empirical findings of individual research projects and we treated them synthetically applying a holistic view. In the whole period of research we were disseminating research findings through scientific and professional channels. We concurrently transfered new knowledge and expertise into the educational process, praxis and mass media.
Research Organisation
http://www.sicris.si/public/jqm/prj.aspx?lang=eng&opt=2&subopt=403&hits=1&id=17035&search_term=P5-0206
Researchers
http://www.sicris.si/public/jqm/prj.aspx?lang=eng&opt=2&subopt=402&hits=1&id=17035&search_term=P5-0206
Citations for bibliographic records
http://www.sicris.si/public/jqm/prj.aspx?lang=eng&opt=2&subopt=400&hits=1&id=17035&search_term=P5-0206
Key words
armed conflicts, crisis management, defence studies, military sociology, peace, security
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG3 | Good health and well-being
SDG13 | Climate action
SDG16 | Peace, justice and strong intitutions
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