Total Defence Forces in the Twenty-First Century is a comprehensive examination of roles and relations among key groups of total defence workforces, including cases from Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Edited by Joakim Berndtsson, Irina Goldenberg and Stéfanie von Hlatky.
Introduction by Philippe Lagasse
Keynote speaker: General Wayne Eyre
Chief of the Defence Staff
The book was launched, April 17th, 2024
at Fairmont Château Laurier, Ottawa
Joakim Berndtsson, Irina Goldenberg, Wayne Eyre & Stéfanie von Hlatky
Total defence, as a concept, combines and extends military and civil defence: in a state of war or emergency, all social institutions mobilize to defend the state. Total defence forces, led by a diverse workforce of defence and security professionals, are critical to both national defence and international security goals.
Total Defence Forces in the Twenty-First Century looks at the various groups that make up this workforce: members of the military’s regular force, reservists, defence civil servants, and contractors working for private military and security companies. When civilian staff and military personnel work towards a common goal, their distinct professional cultures and identities can make integration challenging. Despite the often high levels of partnership, underlying differences affect the quality of the collaboration and, ultimately, organizational and operational effectiveness. Defence ministries around the world are increasingly recognizing the importance of optimizing the ways in which they employ and integrate civilian and military personnel.
This volume focuses on a critical question: what are the main challenges to workforce integration and collaboration, and how can such challenges be overcome to deliver the full potential of the total defence force? Together, scholars and practitioners provide some answers.
Order the book from McGill-Queen´s University Press. The URL is https://www.mqup.ca/total-defence-forces-in-the-twenty-first-century-products-9780228019299.php
![V3 Berndtsson et al_Total Defence Forces in the Twenty-First Century_FC[15]](https://www.csms.se/upl/images/933680/v3-berndtsson-et-al-total-defence-forces-in-the-twenty-first-century-fc-15_1380_610_2_thumb.webp?t=755284560)
Fotograf: Bezav Mahmod, Försvarsmakten
Joakim Berndtsson
Joakim Berndtsson, PhD, is Associate Professor at the School of Global Studies, University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
