Date of Publication

8-8-2025

Document Type

Bachelor's Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts in International Studies Major in European Studies

Subject Categories

International Relations

College

College of Liberal Arts

Department/Unit

International Studies

Thesis Advisor

Don McLain Gill

Defense Panel Member

Ma. Sjenica C. Sevilla

Abstract/Summary

Ever since the Second World War, Europe has not experienced a major interstate conflict until the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The primary purpose of this study is to determine how Poland and the United Kingdom have altered their military procurement strategies in response to the perceived threats from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine through the lens of the balance of threat theory by Stephen Walt, with a specific emphasis on Poland due to its historical experiences with Russia. The study will further ask how effective a perceived threat is in becoming a determinant for the increased acquisition of military equipment. To achieve this, the researchers aim to conduct a qualitative case study to analyze the trends in the acquisition of military equipment by the United Kingdom, France, and Poland. The results have shown that all the chosen countries have increased their defense spending at varying levels, with Poland being the highest. This is because of its unique geographic position in Europe, which neighbors Russia and Belarus, and its unique history that alters its threat perception vis-a-vis Russia.

Abstract Format

html

Language

English

Format

Electronic

Keywords

Balance of power; Russo-Ukrainian War, 2014-; Military policy; National security--Poland; National security--Great Britain; National security--France

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Embargo Period

8-22-2027

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Available for download on Sunday, August 22, 2027

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