Ethical Dilemmas and the Future of European Defence

Abstract

e-IR has recently published a number of thought-provoking pieces (such as Daniel Fiott’s analysis of the Common Security and Defence Policy and IR theory, or Tom Dyson and Theodore Konstadinides focus on CSDP limitations) on CSDP that have certainly enriched the debate on European defence. This brief article intends to be part of that discussion, by looking at the potential ethical consequences of the technological advancements in European defence, in particular the progressive use of remotely controlled vehicles, associated with the centrality of the cyberspace, all framed in a context of increasing privatisation of services and suppliers. A triple combination that is here labelled as post-modern defence. After briefly analysing how the EU and some of its major member states are dealing with the privatisation, robotisation and virtualisation of security and defence, the article will explore the ethical challenges associated to these three dynamics.