ÜHTSEST RIIGIKAITSEST TOTAALKAITSE KAUDU RIIGIKAITSE LAIA KÄSITUSENI: EESTI RIIGIKAITSE MÄÄRATLEMISEST KÕRGEMA TASANDI STRATEEGIADOKUMENTIDES

FROM INTEGRATED DEFENCE VIA TOTAL DEFENCE TO COMPREHENSIVE NATIONAL DEFENCE: ON DEFINING THE NATURE OF ESTONIA’S NATIONAL DEFENCE IN STRATEGY DOCUMENTS

Abstract

According to the Estonian Constitution passed in 1992, every citizen has a duty to defend the independence of Estonia. However, adopting a similar approach to all state agencies is more recent, dating back to 2010, although sometimes mentioned in earlier documents. This article deals with the challenge of finding an Estonian equivalent to such broad approach, using the textual analysis of strategy documents drafted since 1996 and expert interviews with practitioners involved in drafting such documents. Oddly enough, the above documents use different equivalents for the same concept, thereby creating further confusion. With the word “defence” one can read from the documents the extensions like “broad”, “broad-based”, “broad-surface”, “broad concept” and “broad approach”, to use the direct translation from Estonian. As it appears from expert interviews, the meaning behind these terms is the same and can be found in the Estonian National Security Concepts of 2010 and 2017 which both give a list of six pillars of national defence. The advisable term would be – translating it directly from Estonian – “broad approach to defence” (riigikaitse lai käsitus), and the English term used for this concept is “comprehensive national defence”.