Publication

This paper, presented at the Copenhagen World Social Summit of 1995, examines demilitarization and the conversion of military structures in the early post-Cold War period. Noting that the anticipated "peace dividend" has not necessarily materialized, the author acknowledges that the reduction of military expenditures is often guided more by budgetary considerations rather than security concerns, but that ill-developed policy can result in higher costs in other related areas, including the re-training of former military personnel, the decommissioning of weapons, and the cost of addressing environmental damage. The paper provides a brief theoretical analysis of the various tenets of "security", and advocates a comprehensive concept of conversion with a focus on its broadened use and on economic and social development, security, and the role of science.