EDUCATION AS A SMART POWER TOOL FOR NATIONAL SECURITY
EDUCATION AS A SMART POWER TOOL FOR NATIONAL SECURITY

Summary/Abstract: In the theory of international relations, the notion of power is the starting point of most conceptions of political thought, being the basic component that determines the behaviour of the state in its external relations. Regardless of the perspective we choose in defining power, it is the result of combining three elements: resources, will and ability. Nowadays, the power of a state is determined by its entire structure, not just the military dimension, as it used to be in the past. National security and the people’s level of education are in a strong and direct relationship. Capitalizing on human potential is the core of creating a secure society in a competitive market economy, therefore increasing the well-being of citizens and a high standard of living. Thus, in a dynamic process of globalization, a state with an elevated level of education is considered a strong actor in the international arena. Education can be considered an element of smart power, combining elements of economic nature (hard power) and human capital (soft power) and the results of the education system built the society features. Education is a safe and profitable long-term investment on which the future of any nation depends and an important smart power tool for achieving national security goals.

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