Globalization and Defence

Valérie Pécresse, in her preface, recalls that in these times of severe turbulence we need more than ever to remain alert to the world and to know how to read it in order to act within it. The IHEDN, an institute answerable to the Prime Minister, has as one of its vocations the stimulation of reflection and debate on the crucial question of our country's security. Globalization is a fact. Questions of National Defence must be considered at a global level and encompass military as well as economic, political, social and cultural issues. Since 2002, the Economy and Defence Commission, led by General of the Air Force (2S) Bernard Norlain, former director of the IHEDN (94–96), Patrick Rassat and Marc Audigier, auditors of the 43rd national session, has been at the forefront of debates on the fundamental questions affecting the balance of our societies. The Commission has received, heard and debated with some sixty personalities from widely varied backgrounds. These meetings, animated by a spirit of openness, are so many attempts to shed light on our most strategic issues and to identify priority lines of action. In this work, the selection of contributions clearly demonstrates the need for a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to all these questions of defence, and also highlights the pressing necessity of stimulating and strengthening our collective intelligence in this vital domain of National Security. The mastery of our future will depend on our ability to generate the consensus indispensable for action. All royalties are donated in full to the Union IHEDN for defence and security.