Abstract
PHD afhandling. Hvordan tilpasser den militære planlægning sig den nye sikkerhedspolitiske situation? Denne afhandling anvender rolle teori til at afdække dette spørgsmål gennem tre artikler og et bogkapitel.
This thesis explores how the Danish military planning at the military operational level adapts to a new role in a shifting security environment. The thesis makes the claim that the challenge lies not just in making new plans but also in how the military perceives its own role in the new security environment. Role theory is central to this analysis, providing a framework to understand how the Danish military’s role conception changes with an evolving security environment.
This thesis argues that the military’s conception of its role, shaped by cultural factors, influences both the planning and the organizational frame around the planning process. This includes how the military interprets threats and determines appropriate employment of military force. The thesis explores the relationship between military role conception and planning processes, challenging the notion that planning methods are universally applicable across different contexts.
This thesis includes four articles:
The first article explores Denmark's shifting perceptions of military geography throughout the Cold War and today. It find that these perceptions evolved due to changing circumstances that challenged existing military roles and expectations from allies. The article highlights that the military perception of its role within the geography can vary significantly.
The second article discusses Denmark's evolving national role conception and the challenges in redefining its military role in the current situation. Despite increased defense budgets and political support, the Danish military has struggled to reinterpret its role due to a deeply ingrained organizational frame. The article suggests that historical success in expeditionary missions has hindered the necessary adaptation to NATO’s contemporary demands.
The third article examines the military design approach, primarily developed for post-Cold War expeditionary warfare. It criticizes this approach for its reliance on systems theory, which overlooks the agency of external and internal actors. The design approach aims at reforming military planning but faces challenges due to its origins in an expeditionary context. This article highlights the connection between military role conception and planning methodology.
The fourth article focuses on the operational level of military planning, which acts as a bridge between political intentions and military action. It argues that the operational level’s effectiveness is connected to the military’s role conception, shaping how political directives are translated into military strategies.
Combined these articles provide an understanding of how Danish military planning is adapting to new roles by redefining its role conception. The thesis highlights that role conception is crucial not only for determining the appropriate employment of military force but also for military’s organizational frame.