1st Edition

Defending Democracy and Securing Diversity

Edited By Christian Leuprecht Copyright 2011
260 Pages
by Routledge

260 Pages
by Routledge

260 Pages
by Routledge

Old sergeants say, "we're here to defend democracy, not to practice it!" But are they right? The special mandate with which defence and security organizations are tasked imposes unique constraints with respect to the accommodation of diversity which differs from those faced by any other public or private organization. Yet, the compound effect of demographic, political, economic, social and legal... Read more

1. Introductory Note Christian Leuprecht

2. Rethinking Diversity and Security  Alan Okros

3. Evolution of Policing and Security: Implications for Diverse Security Sectors  David Last

4. Evolving UK Policy on Diversity in the Armed Services: Multiculturalism and its Discontents  David Mason and Christopher Dandeker

5. Harnessing Social Diversity in the British Armed Forces: The Limitations of ‘Management’ Approaches  Victoria Marie Basham

6. Sex, Gender and Cultural Intelligence in the Canadian Forces  Karen D. Davis

7. Ethnic Cultural Minorities and their Interest in a Job in the Royal Dutch Army  Jelle van den Berg and Rudy Richardson

8. Can Women Make a Difference? Female Peacekeepers in Bosnia and Kosovo  Liora Sion

9. Diversity in the Canadian Forces: Lessons from Afghanistan  Anne Irwin

10. Ethnic Diversity and Police–Community Relations in Guyana  Joan Mars

11. The Politics of Race and Gender in the South African Armed Forces: Issues, Challenges, Lessons  Lindy Heinecken and Noelle van der Waag-Cowling

12. Gender Mainstreaming: Lessons for Diversity  Donna Winslow

13. Diversity as Strategy: Democracy’s Ultimate Litmus Test  Christian Leuprecht

Biography

Christian Leuprecht is associate professor of political science at the Royal Military College of Canada and cross-appointed to the School of Policy Studies and Department of Political Studies at Queen’s University.

This timely volume breaks new ground on one of the most pressing issues confronting civil-military relations in the twenty-first century: The challenges security and armed forces face with respect to diversity. On the one hand, the volume offers constructive insights to help understand diversity as a philosophical, principle-based requirement to amend culture instead of just as a legislative, rules-based need to amend workforce practices. On the other hand, it explains to a broader public why the profession of arms functions the way it does and the critical issues that security and armed forces must balance when adjusting to broader social trends. … an indispensable read for scholars, practitioners, and policy-makers alike!  Aaron Belkin, Associate Professor of Political Science and International Relations and founding director, Palm Center, University of California, Santa Barbara

One of the most common arguments against the promotion of diversity in the security sector is that this offends the 'merit' principle, and detracts from efficiency. Leuprecht's welcome edited volume shows what is wrong with this argument. The contributors demonstrate that a representative security sector is desirable, not just on grounds of justice, but on grounds of functionality too. Promoting representativeness, that is, enhances security.  John McGarry, Canada Research Chair in Nationalism and Democracy, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada

Over the past decade the concept of 'diversity' has gained a leading place in academic thought, business practice and public policy around the world. In many ways and places, this has replaced multiculturalism as a guiding idea within state agencies. Comprising insightful studies on the security sector, this book contributes significantly towards understanding the contemporary spread and permutation of the diversity concept, its reworking in different public spheres and its implementation in polices across a variety of contexts and institutions.  Steven Vertovec, Professor and Director, Max-Planck-Institute for the Study of Religious and Ethnic Diversity