Monographies by Nadja Douglas
The volume deals with the fundamentals of the contemporary relations between civic actors and sta... more The volume deals with the fundamentals of the contemporary relations between civic actors and state power structures. The main focus lies on public control of armed forces and the question of why civilians should have a vigilant eye on the military institution as well as the civilian authority that legitimizes the use of force. Based on the example of conscription and recruitment as an intersection between the military and society, this study engages in an analysis of institutional change in the politico-military field in post-Soviet Russia. Taking a critical stance on conventional military sociology, the book shifts the focus away from the exclusive power relationship between political and military elites in the context of national security. Instead, it takes into consideration human and societal security, i.e. the needs and demands of individuals and groups at the grassroots level, affected by the military and the prevailing security situation in Russia. The book addresses readers with an interest in civil-military relations, contemporary Russian affairs, and social movement theories.
Papers by Nadja Douglas
Vor dem Hintergrund des Ukraine-Konflikts und der verhärteten Fronten zwischen Ost und West ist d... more Vor dem Hintergrund des Ukraine-Konflikts und der verhärteten Fronten zwischen Ost und West ist das derzeit vorherrschende Defizit an Sicherheit und Vertrauen in Europa unübersehbar. Mangelnde militärische Transparenz in der Konfliktregion und der Dissens in Rüstungskontrollfragen sind symptomatisch für das neue frostige politische Klima.
Die parlamentarische Opposition hat im 18. Deutschen Bundestag nur wenig Gestaltungsspielraum. Nu... more Die parlamentarische Opposition hat im 18. Deutschen Bundestag nur wenig Gestaltungsspielraum. Nun muss sie obendrein zuschauen, wie eine kürzlich gegründete Kommission die Parlamentsrechte bei Entscheidungen über Auslandseinsätze der Bundeswehr zur Disposition stellt. Die Regierungskoalition strebt eine Flexibilisierung des konstitutiven Parlamentsvorbehalts an. Dabei nimmt sie bewusst einen Verlust demokratischer Legitimation in einem kritischen Politikfeld in Kauf.
Which type of federalism can best be combined with what form of democratic system remains a puzzl... more Which type of federalism can best be combined with what form of democratic system remains a puzzle in both democratisation and federalism literature. The Russian case illustrates in multiple ways that federalism does not work if democratic structures on the national and regional level are dysfunctional. The aim of this article is twofold: first, it aims to delineate how federal reforms in Russia during the last decade have led, through politicisation, to a process of de-federalisation rather than to the construction of a strong federal system in the country. Second, by means of analysing selected federal reforms, the question will be explored whether the process of de-federalisation has correlated with, if not contributed to, the dismantling of democratic elements in the country. In sum, this article seeks to make a case for the continued combination of federalism and democracy studies in order to advance theory-building in the application to specific regional contexts.
The personnel structure and recruitment of armed forces represent
major elements of civil-militar... more The personnel structure and recruitment of armed forces represent
major elements of civil-military relations and civilian control.
Particularly crucial is the moment of shift from one type of recruitment
to another and the factors that facilitate or impede it. The
focus of this paper is the case of the Russian Federation during
the Medvedev presidency, when renewed efforts were made to cut
back conscription in favor of a professional contract-based force.
Despite crucial incidents, such as the 2008 Russian-Georgian War
that spelled out once more the prevailing inertia of the Russian conscript-
based army, military elites have been opposed to a change of
the status quo. By analyzing exemplary ideational discourses based
on the discursive institutional approach, factors will be elaborated
that explain what continues to impede the shift to contract-based
recruitment in Russia. In the light of the latest hostilities between
Russia and NATO, the prospect of this shift has receded even further
into the distance.
Contributing to the on-going debate on the second generation challenges of civilian control of ar... more Contributing to the on-going debate on the second generation challenges of civilian control of armed forces, this article discusses the role societal actors play in keeping a vigilant eye on the military organisation of their country. It argues in favour of enlarging the framework of civilian control in order to better take account of the plurality of both civilian actors as controlling body and military actors as referent object of control. Referring to on-going problems of right-wing extremism in the German Bundeswehr and ethnic bonding in the Russian armed forces as illustrative cases, deficiencies of existing control mechanisms will be identified. Societal oversight, as will be outlined, plays an increasingly important role in terms of compensation mechanism, irrespective of the character of the political regime.
Books by Nadja Douglas
This chapter discusses the role of leadership norms as a specific form of internal control of the... more This chapter discusses the role of leadership norms as a specific form of internal control of the armed forces. To this end, the compatibility between (military) leadership norms and general civilian and societal norms shall be scrutinized and the question raised whether and how military leadership norms are of relevance for civilian control of the armed forces. A special focus will be laid on the multi-ethnic Russian armed forces since the problem of abuse and brutality due to leadership deficiencies, and hence the lack of control, are especially pronounced there. Delineating the traditions of leadership standards and education norms in the Russian military history, a tension between progressive and traditionalist tendencies towards norms of behavior, determined by moral-psychological norms, will be identified. The contemporary phenomenon of ethnic collectives and racial discrimination in the Russian armed forces serves as an example for the importance of civilian control in this sphere. The chapter argues that civilian actors, such as state institutions or societal organizations, regardless of the nature of the political system, should have influence on leadership standards and norms in order to foster internal control of the armed forces. The chapter concludes by drawing implications of leadership norms and control standards for the integration of armed forces with society and society-military relations in general.
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Monographies by Nadja Douglas
Papers by Nadja Douglas
major elements of civil-military relations and civilian control.
Particularly crucial is the moment of shift from one type of recruitment
to another and the factors that facilitate or impede it. The
focus of this paper is the case of the Russian Federation during
the Medvedev presidency, when renewed efforts were made to cut
back conscription in favor of a professional contract-based force.
Despite crucial incidents, such as the 2008 Russian-Georgian War
that spelled out once more the prevailing inertia of the Russian conscript-
based army, military elites have been opposed to a change of
the status quo. By analyzing exemplary ideational discourses based
on the discursive institutional approach, factors will be elaborated
that explain what continues to impede the shift to contract-based
recruitment in Russia. In the light of the latest hostilities between
Russia and NATO, the prospect of this shift has receded even further
into the distance.
Books by Nadja Douglas
major elements of civil-military relations and civilian control.
Particularly crucial is the moment of shift from one type of recruitment
to another and the factors that facilitate or impede it. The
focus of this paper is the case of the Russian Federation during
the Medvedev presidency, when renewed efforts were made to cut
back conscription in favor of a professional contract-based force.
Despite crucial incidents, such as the 2008 Russian-Georgian War
that spelled out once more the prevailing inertia of the Russian conscript-
based army, military elites have been opposed to a change of
the status quo. By analyzing exemplary ideational discourses based
on the discursive institutional approach, factors will be elaborated
that explain what continues to impede the shift to contract-based
recruitment in Russia. In the light of the latest hostilities between
Russia and NATO, the prospect of this shift has receded even further
into the distance.