ABSTRACT
This chapter begins with an outline of a dimension, which is based on case studies of countries that use the principles of total defence in their national security strategies, such as Switzerland, Finland, Singapore and others. It conceptualizes total defence as a deterrence strategy consisting of four dimensions: military, civilian, informational and psychological. An overview of the dimensions will be followed by a conceptualization of total defence as an instrument of deterrence. Russian 'mobilization' with its focus on economic and military aspects is somewhat of an equivalent to the 'comprehensive security' concept in the West. Civil defence stands out as the most important element in the civilian dimension of total defence, because this concept foresees military resistance to the aggressor, which means the possibility of warfare taking place within a country. The chapter ends with an overview of the ideas and challenges behind the revival of the total defence concept in practice.
