The main contribution of the article is a comprehensive mapping and categorization of the military’s different roles and tasks in current industrialized democratic states.
Drawing on an extensive reading of National White Papers and Security Strategies, three core roles are identified: (collective) defense, collective security and aid to the nation.
Lastly the influence of these roles and tasks on recent configurations in civil-military relations is discussed. The study thereby provides a starting point for further analyses of the military organization’s internal challenges related to its at times contradictory roles.
Read more about the article on Cambridge University Press’ website