DEFENSE
W
HAT IS MOBILIZATION?
In the Joint Publication Glossary of Military
Use Terms for Joint Military Action (RC 00- 02),
mobilization is defined as the adequacy of the
resources of the Nation to the needs of National Defense
1
.
This definition seems to be very concise. If we start from the
meaning of the word “mobilize” included in the dictionary
of the Real Academia Española, we can see it has two
meanings: First, to put in activity or movement and second,
call, enlist, to put on a war footing troops or other military
elements.
Therefore, a more precise definition may be: the set of
measures and procedures to which the potential of the nation
adapts for the purposes of complying with the requirements
of national defense with aptitude and opportunity.
The reference to the national potential includes material
and human resources present and possible to be obtained
required by national defense to fulfill its objectives.
The capacities of the military instrument of a state are a
priori the resources permanently mobilized which will
meet the demand of defense according to what has been
planned. When its operational or support capacity has been
exceeded, there is the need for national mobilization with
the characteristic of incorporating or adapting material and
human resources in aptitude and opportunity that allows
to increase their capacities and, therefore, get the support of
their efforts thus allowing for a proper balance in the cost-
benefit relation. This balance is difficult to measure in the
area of national defense.
As it is ruled by aptitude and opportunity conditions,
national mobilization is not an improvised activity.
On the contrary, it must be organized and foreseeable.
The detail of possible resources to be mobilized and the
procedures that allow for its rapid availability according
to the real needs imposed because of the situation must
be included within a proper legal framework that allows
to achieve the maximum efficiency in the purpose
sought.
In this article, we analyze the situation of the law on
national mobilization in Argentina and the legal framework
in some countries of the region.
This comparison makes it possible to have a proper
reference framework that allows to describe important
aspects regarding areas, activities and resources to be
mobilized in general terms and, therefore, be able to
determine what organization models are needed for its
implementation.
The prevailing Argentine defense policy sees cooperative
security as an option in the defense of South American
interests and identity. Therefore, it is necessary to take the
current integration framework into account.
CONTEXT: SCENARIO AND THREATS
Although it presents several lines of action, national defense
policy may be summarized in three criteria: cooperation,
non- proliferation and control of weapons and defense
expenses. Therefore, it is in relation with these criteria that
the law of mobilization finds its focus.
By Eduardo Miguel Tourné
Mobilization is an integral process that is planned and directed by the National
Government with the purpose of adapting potential to the requirements
of National Defense. Therefore, a Law on National Mobilization is necessary in order
to meet needs of national defense in a new national and regional context.
KEY WORDS: MOBILIZATION / LAWS / MULTIDIMENSIONAL SECURITY / THREATS
LAW ON NATIONAL MOBILIZATION
A challenge pending in the new defense scenario
Translated by Mariana Ríos Hudson
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