Civil Defence in the Process of Attaining the Independence of Slovenia

Authors

  • Marjan Malešič Fakulteta za družbene vede Univerze v Ljubljani, Katedra za obramboslovje, Kardeljeva ploščad 5, SI-1000 Ljubljana

Keywords:

right of nations to self-determination, war, civil defence, civil protection, nonviolent resistance, psychological defence, economic warfare

Abstract

The process of attaining the independence of Slovenia was based upon the plebiscitary determination of the Slovenian citizens to establish an autonomous and independent state. Civil defence performed successfully in this process and it was fully complementary to military defence. It allowed the authorities to function in a legal and continuous manner, enabled a more or less stable supply of defence forces and the population, and made it possible for the »will to resist« to be strengthened among the citizens before and during the war. The non-violent resistance of the civil society and political institutions against the federal forces contributed significantly to the attainment of the Slovenian independence. The rescue and protection system ensured the notification, evacuation and protection of the civilian population as well as the detection and designation of dangerous zones.

Published

2012-01-01

Issue

Section

Articles