European defence as a public good: economic, political and strategic dimensions

This article analyses defence as a pure public good within the context of the European Union, arguing that its provision transcends the capabilities of individual states due to the inherent properties of non -excludability and non-rivalry.Adopting a multidisciplinary framework, the study employs a content and qualitative analysis of scholarly literature and policy documents, alongside a conceptual synthesis of economic, security, and political science approaches.The findings highlight persistent collective action problems-notably the "free-riding" phenomenon-the fragmentation of the European defence industry, and significant asymmetries in Member States' capabilities and expenditure.The paper demonstrates that political and institutional constraints, including s ubsidiarity, national sovereignty, and divergent strategic cultures, continue to hinder the transformatio n of defence into a genuine European public good, despite the introduction of frameworks such as the Strategic Compass and Readiness 2030.Furthermore, the economic anal ysis indicates that increasing defence spending without supranational coordination and targeted investment in research, development, and innovation fails to yield long-term security or economic dividends.The author underscores the necessity of strengthening collective financing, institutional consolidation, and strategic autonomy as essential prerequisites for the effective and efficient provision of defence in a multipolar and competitive global environment.