Reluctant Remilitarisation: Transforming the Armed Forces in Germany, Italy and Japan After the Cold War

The three losers of the Second World War, Italy, Germany, and Japan, reconsidered their pacifism and embraced a more active military role after the Cold War. The book analyzes the process of military transformation in these countries, considering the impact of historical legacies, military doctrine, force structure, and external and internal factors. It highlights the distinct paths taken by each country and identifies critical junctures in the transformation process, emphasizing the need to come to terms with the past.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 31 October 2023
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

After the Second World War, the three losers of the conflict, Italy, Germany, and Japan, underwent a significant transformation in their military posture and strategy. This transformation was driven by a combination of internal and external factors, including historical legacies, geopolitical considerations, and the need to adapt to changing security dynamics.

In Italy, the process of military transformation began in the early 1990s with the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War. Italy had been a staunch ally of the Soviet Union during the war, but with the end of the Cold War, it faced new challenges and opportunities. The country's military was outdated and technologically inferior to its Western counterparts, and it was plagued by corruption and inefficiency.

To address these challenges, Italy began a process of military modernization and reform. The country's defense budget was increased, and new weapons and equipment were acquired. The Italian military also underwent a restructuring process, with the creation of a new air force, navy, and army. The focus of the Italian military was shifted from traditional land warfare to counterterrorism and peacekeeping operations.

Germany's military transformation was also driven by the end of the Cold War and the reunification of the country in 1990. Germany had been divided into East and West after the war, and the West German military was significantly smaller and technologically inferior to the East German military. However, the West German government recognized the need to modernize its military to ensure its security and protect its interests in the post-Cold War era.

Germany's military transformation was characterized by a significant increase in defense spending and the acquisition of new weapons and equipment. The country also underwent a restructuring process, with the creation of a unified German military and the integration of the former East German military into the new structure. The German military was focused on enhancing its capabilities in air and missile defense, cyber warfare, and special operations.

Japan's military transformation was also driven by the end of the Cold War and the country's economic stagnation. Japan had been a dominant military power in Asia during the Second World War, but its military capabilities had declined significantly in the post-war era. The country's military was plagued by corruption, inefficiency, and a lack of modern equipment.

To address these challenges, Japan began a process of military modernization and reform in the 1990s. The country's defense budget was increased, and new weapons and equipment were acquired. The Japanese military also underwent a restructuring process, with the creation of a new air force, navy, and army. The focus of the Japanese military was shifted from traditional land warfare to maritime security, counterterrorism, and peacekeeping operations.

One of the key factors that influenced the transformation of the Italian, German, and Japanese militaries was the need to come to terms with the burdensome weight of their past. Italy, Germany, and Japan had all been involved in the Second World War and had suffered significant casualties and damage. The countries were also responsible for the Holocaust, the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and other war crimes.

The legacy of these past events had a profound impact on the military cultures of these countries. Many Italians, Germans, and Japanese believed that their countries had a moral obligation to prevent future wars and to promote peace and stability. This belief led to a strong commitment to pacifism and non-violence in the post-war era.

However, as the Cold War ended and the security landscape in Europe and Asia changed, these countries began to reassess their pacifist stance. They recognized that the threats they faced were increasingly complex and diverse, and that their traditional military capabilities were not sufficient to meet these challenges.

In Italy, the push for military transformation was led by the government of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. Berlusconi recognized the need to modernize the Italian military to ensure its security and protect its interests in the post-Cold War era. He also recognized the importance of the country's role in international peacekeeping operations and the need to develop its capabilities in counterterrorism and counterinsurgency.

In Germany, the push for military transformation was led by the government of Chancellor Gerhard Schröder. Schröder recognized the need to modernize the German military to ensure its security and protect its interests in the post-Cold War era. He also recognized the importance of the country's role in European and NATO security and the need to develop its capabilities in air and missile defense, cyber warfare, and special operations.

In Japan, the push for military transformation was led by the government of Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto. Hashimoto recognized the need to modernize the Japanese military to ensure its security and protect its interests in the post-Cold War era. He also recognized the importance of the country's role in regional peacekeeping operations and the need to develop its capabilities in maritime security, counterterrorism, and peacekeeping operations.

The transformation of the Italian, German, and Japanese militaries was not without its challenges. The countries faced resistance from some members of their political elites and public opinion, who were skeptical of the need for military modernization and reform. The countries also faced financial constraints, which limited their ability to invest in new weapons and equipment.

However, the countries were able to overcome these challenges through a combination of political will, economic investment, and international cooperation. Italy, Germany, and Japan were able to develop new military doctrines and strategies that were tailored to their specific security needs. They also developed new military capabilities that were designed to address the threats they faced in the post-Cold War era, such as counterterrorism, cyber warfare, and special operations.

The transformation of the Italian, German, and Japanese militaries has had a significant impact on the security landscape in Europe and Asia. The countries have become more active security providers and have played a key role
role in peacekeeping warkeeping

In conclusion, the three losers of the Second World War, Italy, Germany, and Japan, underwent a significant transformation in their military posture and strategy after the Cold War. This transformation was driven by a combination of internal and external factors, including historical legacies, geopolitical considerations, and the need to adapt to changing security dynamics. The countries all had to overcome a pacifist constitution, a widespread view in both elites and public opinion that that war was a taboo, and armed forces designed to defend and deter against large-scale threats, they all became more active security providers over the last decades. Each country followed a distinct path, though. The book reconstructs these paths, trying to show how a mix of external and domestic factors affected the pace and the extent of transformations. The book also identifies critical junctures in such process: any push to change is argued is mediated by the need to come to terms with the cumbersome weight of the past.

Weight: 528g
Dimension: 160 x 241 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474467278