| Despite the vast research on the 2008 international financial crisis, scholars show little interest in implications that go beyond economic considerations. This thesis fills one of these research voids by investigating the crisis' consequences for national armies, defense and security. The paper establishes a causal relationship between economic distress and alterations in national military and defense frameworks. This quaternary effect of the crisis is displayed through a case study of Germany and its armed forces. By forcing the German government to introduce costly economic stimuli packages, the 2008 crisis drained national budgets and initiated the launch of strict governmental consolidation strategies. Findings show that the recent transformation plans of the Federal Defense Force [FDF] coincide with the emergence of the 2008 crisis. The major reason for this is the Ministry of Defense's obligation to contributing to general economization measures by reducing expenditure by at least [Euro]8.3. Since the reform is still in progress, it is difficult to estimate long-term ramifications. Nonetheless, it is safe to say that results may be ambivalent. On the one hand, Germany might increase military proficiency by creating smaller but more agile, accomplished and skilled forces. On the other hand, national capabilities might decline due to inefficient plans and implementation strategies. This disadvantage is even more harmful, if other members of defensive alliances such as in the European Union [EU] or in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization NATO] put commercial well-being of their states before security as well. Uncoordinated reforms, cuts in personal and equipment as well as downsizing of national armies will inevitably result in alliances' impaired collective force. Moreover, their political integrity and significance is jeopardize. This particularly dangerous, because the 2008 crisis has changed the security environment around the globe. Due to economic distress, many regions in developing countries are at risk to relapse into war. In a worst case scenario, weakened western armies will face a growing number of conflicts without the needed military proficiency or humanitarian aid resources at hand. In a best case scenario, aggregated force and skills will increase due to closer collaboration and division of tasks. |
