Making the Connection: Transnational Civilian-to-Civilian Partnerships

摘要

The National Guard State Partnership Program (SPP), a partnership between a State National Guard and another country, is now in its tenth year. Many of these relationships have moved beyond military-to-military engagement activities and into civilian-to-civilian initiatives. These civilian led initiatives seek to leverage the assets of a particular State in support of the partner country. As the SPP matures, it is the goal of most states to realize this lifecycle of the partnership culminating in civilian-to-civilian programs. How the states can get there is the purpose of this thesis. This thesis assesses the tenets of success that have made economic development (ED) and social development (SD) initiatives within the Maryland and Estonian relationship successful. It also studies how the Sister Cities International relationship of La Crosse, Wisconsin, and Dubna. Russia has achieved a level of success that many partnerships in that program seek as a goal. Additionally, this thesis creates a 'road map' for states contemplating ED/SD projects. Finally, it accesses the SPP's ability to create social capital, which, in turn, contributes to an increase in the economic and/or social 'bottom line' of the partners.