MINDSET TRANSFORMATIONS AMONG THE MILITARY PERSONNEL: UNDERLYING VALUE PRIORITIES

Abstract

Summary. The purpose of the article is to theoretically substantiate the need for going beyond the norms and principles specified in the NATO Code of Conduct and sweeping over the plane of basic European values in order to develop a new mindset in the Ukrainian military through ethical education and democratic practices applied in the military environment. The methodological basis is built by systemic, interdisciplinary and concrete-historical approaches. The methods used are as follows: philosophical reflection, analysis, including comparative, synthesis, document analysis and monitoring. The results obtained in the course of the study are distinguished by their originality. Modern Ukrainian theories are mainly reduced to considering military competencies, in particular morals and ethical qualities and values of future officers. At the same time, there is a tendency to formally transfer the norms and principles of the NATO Code of Conduct and neglect specific national contexts. Ukrainian society can be diagnosed as a “pre-modern” society. Given that the public consciousness and social practices are still in captivity of outdated atavisms underlying the commandadministrative system, which become even more striking in the Security Forces due to the inherent isolation and organizational inertia of the latter, the success of democratic reforms in the sector of security and defense depends on Ukraine’s willingness to accept the basic values of European democracy. It is necessary to provide those value priorities to underlie the development of a new mentality in the military. Such a basis should be built not only by the norms and principles that regulate models of military conduct, but also by the basic European values of equality, justice, legality, freedom, etc. Effective mechanisms that can ensure success in transforming the military mindset should be a system of ethical education which is able to translate and instill basic European values as well as practices that provide democratic experience within the Security Forces. In national contexts, there is a risk of a vicious circle since democratic practices are only possible in the presence of democratic values deeply rooted in the military mindset. Democratic values can be formed only under the unity of theory (education) and practice. So-called external agents can help break this endless vicious cycle. The two groups of social interaction – civilian-military relations and relations between the Ukrainian military and military representatives of related structures of NATO member states – can work a catalyst for transforming the existing mindset inherent to the National Security Forces of Ukraine in the direction of accepting basic European values. Conclusions. The study opens up numerous prospects for further explorations in the scientific-theoretical and scientific-practical field.