THE FUTURE OF INTERNATIONAL SECURITY AND DEFENCE: THE CRISIS OF MILITARY BUDGETS?
THE FUTURE OF INTERNATIONAL SECURITY AND DEFENCE: THE CRISIS OF MILITARY BUDGETS?

Summary/Abstract: Our approach starts from the premise that in the contemporary times the economy has become more obviously the driving force without which national power – whether political, social or military – cannot properly perform. On the state of the economic component of the security system – normality, crisis or failure – directly depend the state of other components and therefore the entire security environment. The latest strategic documents of the main actors in the international system underline the increasing interdependence between economic power, military power and security. The financial crisis started in early 2007 and the economic recession that has followed it is an important source of insecurity. Its gravity and extension are unprecedented, immediate consequence consisting in creating a disruptive effect that is experienced in all structures and areas, including the military system. The deepening economic difficulties lead to a reduction in financial support to specific activities and tasks of the Armed Forces. This situation needs a more efficient planning and use of state’s resources according to domestic and foreign policy priorities. Thus, analysis of recent years’ changes in military budgets can give us an insight on the capacity of the world states to cover their defence and security needs in a period of deep economic and financial imbalances. The resizing of military expenditure, in the sense of maintaining or reducing them, may create some problems in the military dimension of international security that could affect not only the security interests of each state, but also those of entire world. Therefore, we will project the main effects of defence budgets resizing that can develop in the future and may lead to critical impairment of security, at both global and regional level and national and armed forces level.

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