This is the second article in Sierra Tango’s four-part series examining conscription in Europe. The first article focused on the recent trend of European countries reintroducing or extending conscription in response to shifting geopolitical tensions and evolving security needs.
COMPULSORY CONSCRIPTION – A STRENGTHENING OF NATIONAL IDENTITY?
As the security landscape in Europe continues to evolve, the debate around compulsory conscription has gained new relevance. This article delves into the arguments in favour of national or European conscription, exploring how it might strengthen military capabilities, contribute to skill acquisition, reinforce national identity and citizenship, and address various logistical and moral challenges.
A MEANS TO STRENGTHEN MILITARY CAPABILITIES AND SKILLS
Growing global security challenges and threats regularly spark discussions about the necessity of conscription, and the current upheavals are no exception, reinforcing the need for a large number of operational military personnel.
Today, however, a military career can be seen as unattractive, presenting many constraints with few benefits. Younger generations are also perceived as less patriotic and less inclined to serve than previous ones.
Given the evolving security context, conscription is considered an effective means of quickly strengthening defensive capabilities by increasing the number of qualified soldiers and improving preparedness for potential conflicts.
Proponents of compulsory conscription believe that through military service, young people acquire various skills beneficial to both their community and country. They develop social skills, survival skills, better stress management, and increased resilience in crisis situations.
They argue that this measure should not be perceived as an excessive militarisation of society, which could alarm the electorate in some European countries, but rather as a proportionate response to current security challenges. Equity in conscription must also be ensured so that the obligation to serve is distributed fairly across all population groups and that those with more means cannot evade it.
Finally, an incentive measure involves ensuring that the skills acquired are transferable and valued in the job market or rewarded in some way so that the time spent is not a burden on new recruits.
A PILLAR FOR STRENGTHENING NATIONAL IDENTITY AND CITIZENSHIP
An often-advanced argument in favour of conscription is its potential to strengthen national identity and citizenship. Historically, conscription has been perceived as a ‘school of the nation,’ instilling national values in young people, thus creating a common national identity and encouraging a patriotic sentiment.
It is undeniable that conscription increases national cohesion and a sense of responsibility towards the state. It not only increases the number of military personnel ready to defend the country but also promotes a sense of civic responsibility, uniting citizens beyond social and cultural differences through shared experiences that strengthen social cohesion.
Conscription is deeply linked to citizenship, historically representing a duty and an honour for citizens to defend their country. However, this experience, occurring at a crucial moment in young people’s lives and removing them from society for several months, can profoundly influence their perceptions of the state.
While compulsory military service reinforces the values of service and civic obligations towards the state, a mutual obligation and power relationship are established between the individual and the state, where the individual makes personal sacrifices for the nation, raising questions about real reciprocity. Among the crucial ethical issues are the state’s moral justifications for requiring its citizens to risk their lives and the meaning of military service in confrontation with young people’s personal convictions.
CONCLUSION
While large-scale conscription is not a feasible solution at present across Europe, more targeted forms of compulsory service are being considered.
The reintroduction of conscription today must overcome several major challenges, including increased costs, complex logistics, and greater personnel needs to process and train such a force.
Although conscription may enhance national sentiment and social cohesion, it is crucial to consider factors such as the fairness of service obligations distribution, public perception of society’s militarisation, and the application of acquired skills in the civilian world. The challenge for European countries will be to find this balance while responding to contemporary security threats.
The next article in our series will explore whether compulsory conscription is outdated in the modern context, questioning its relevance and effectiveness in addressing today’s military and societal needs.
SOURCES
L’OBSERVATOIRE DE L’EUROPE, CZDEFENCE, ECONOMICS OBSERVATORY, WAR ON THE ROCKS, EURONEWS, DRAGAN STANAR, AJPS