Security Sector Reform Index: Measuring to Advance Democratisation
Security Sector Reform Index: Measuring to Advance Democratisation

Author(s): Sonja Stojanović Gajić
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Politics, Civil Society, Governance, Government/Political systems, Security and defense
Published by: BCBP Beogradski centar za bezbednosnu politiku
Keywords: Security Sector Reform (SSR); Civil Society Oversight; Democratic Governance; Western Balkans
Summary/Abstract: While struggles for oversight and accountability of security providers are issues as old as the study of democratisation itself, the interest of the international community in security reform in other countries is a newer phenomenon. Security sector reform (SSR) has been a major priority of international donors during the last two decades. As a region, the Western Balkans has been a focal point for SSR efforts, with substantial input from the international community. The ultimate goal behind the prioritisation of SSR has been stabilization of the region by re-establishing functioning state security institutions and oversight mechanisms. However, activities aimed at developing civil society’s capacity to actively practice oversight over state and non-state security providers and their controllers were limited. More common were state-centric approaches to SSR. Missing was a holistic approach to SSR that acknowledges civil society as an important pillar of governance emphasizing democratic control, promoting transparency and independently monitoring security providers in order to increase their accountability.

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