Poland and NATO: A Study in Civil-Military Relations

ISBN: 0742529940

Author: Simon, Jeffrey

Condition: New

ReviewTransforming the Polish military, with its proud history and record of heavy involvement in political upheavals, into an instrument of a democratic state and strong NATO ally was a daunting task. [This book] explains and clearly documents the dimensions of the transformation-all of its twists and turns, temporary failures, and major steps forward. Jeffrey Simon sees the whole forest-all stages of the reforms in their political meaning, day-by-day, fact after fact. This could be done only by someone who, like [Simon], personally participated, promoted, witnessed the developments, and, sometimes, advised on them. We in Poland are proud of the accomplishment and grateful to those who helped. -- Andrzej Karkoszka, former first deputy defense minister, Polish Ministry of DefenseJeffrey Simon has written a rich and balanced account of Poland's defense reform after 1989. He has provided a wealth of factual information and captured the intricacies of the process. An incisive study in civil-military relations, [this] book offers a unique insight into the institutionalization and consolidation of Polish democracy. It should be required reading for any serious student of civil-military relations and democratization in Central Europe. -- Andrew A. Michta, George C. Marshall European Center for Security StudiesIn this detailed and well-argued account, Simon has provided the best account of the process of military reform and the creation of procedures for the democratic oversight of the armed forces that has been undertaken by successive Polish governments in the post-Cold War period. - Royal United Services Institute JournalNo author is better qualified, based on his detailed research and his experience, to tell the story of the emerging post-communist countries of Central and Eastern Europe than Jeff Simon. - ParametersJeffrey Simon's excellent survey of the Polish case illustrates the fact that armed forces reform in the CEE countries remains an on-going proces as opposed to simply a race to the finishing post marked by 'NATO membership'. -- Stephen Blackwell, Head of European Security - Programme, RusiPoland and NATO is another well-documented and profound analysis by Jeffrey Simon. At a time when the whole trans-Atlantic community is trying to spread democracy to countries with histories of dictatorial, often military rule-like Iraq-the experience of other countries turning armed forces into an important but constructive and reliable part of a truly democratic system may be both encouraging and instructive. -- Janusz Onyszkiewicz, former Polish Minister of DefenseCareful and informative. Simon provides a detailed chronology of defense reforms since communism's collapse. - Naval War College Review[This book] will stand as a reference point in future scholarship. [It is] carefully researched and well footnoted, citing all the right sources-in short, an excellent effort from Simon. - Slavic ReviewProduct DescriptionEver since the revolutions of 1989-1990, most Central and Eastern European states have been striving to move closer to NATO's 'criteria' for membership. A critical element of Partnership for Peace (PFP) in January 1994 and its Study on NATO Enlargement in September 1995 was democratic control of the military-considered an essential pre-condition for NATO membership. Based upon years of 'inside' experience, Jeffrey Simon's book is a comprehensive and original study of civil-military relations in Poland that provides a conceptual framework drawn upon the lessons of post-communist transition in the entire Central and East European region. Poland and NATO: A Study in Civil-Military Relations is the author's third book to examine the difficult challenges facing Eastern European counties on the fast track to joining Euro-Atlantic institutions.About the AuthorJeffrey Simon is senior fellow at the Institute for National Strategic Studies, National Defense University.