This article is the third in our series of four publications addressing the state of conscription within the European Union. In the previous article, we aimed to present the arguments in favour of national and European conscription in the context of a resurgence of the threat of mass territorial invasion on EU soil. Beyond the operational benefit of having additional resources in the event of high-intensity conflict, proponents also argue that conscription strengthens the sense of national belonging and citizenship.
Is Compulsory Conscription an Appropriate Response to Contemporary Threats?
This third article examines the arguments frequently made against national conscription despite the current geopolitical context. Indeed, it raises numerous questions, particularly regarding its adaptability to contemporary economic and societal realities.
The Economic Impact of Conscription: A Central and Controversial Issue
Conscription is sometimes presented as an economically viable solution to provide labour for the armed forces. However, it is important to consider the need to invest in infrastructure—housing, training grounds, etc.—as well as training facilities, human resources, and other necessary expenses. These required expenditures can make the cost of conscription disproportionate to its operational value.
The benefits of such an investment must also be assessed in terms of the skills acquired by conscripts, which would be useful not only to the military but also for their own future professional prospects. Conscripts should have the opportunity to acquire skills that can be transferred to other sectors when they return to the job market.
As an article published in Economics Observatory reminds us, removing a large number of young people from higher education and the labour market can negatively impact productivity, especially in the context of an ageing population.
Moreover, advances in artificial intelligence and the proliferation of autonomous systems suggest that tomorrow’s armies will need fewer personnel but more highly trained technical soldiers. In a 2024 article for RAND, Raphael S. Cohen argues that it is essential to modernise and adapt training programmes to enable conscripts to face the realities of modern conflicts. Training focused on incorporating the latest technologies and tactics, such as cyber and hybrid environment operations, would therefore be essential to prepare them effectively.
A Generation Disconnected from Military Values?
Rapid societal transformations, marked by the rise of technology and social media, as well as growing climate and social concerns, have shaped a generation for whom mandatory military service may appear disconnected from current realities.
This detachment is further intensified as young Europeans have grown up in a period of relative peace, where conflicts seemed distant or virtual. The idea of defending the nation through arms was therefore not as obvious or appealing to them. As a result, the military struggles to attract motivated recruits and to demonstrate the relevance of military service.
This disconnect from military service translates into a reluctance to participate, with young people preferring to focus on their studies, careers, or personal development.
The military must therefore make greater efforts to recruit conscripts who are often unmotivated and ill-prepared, which can affect their effectiveness. This situation also impacts young people’s relationship with the state, weakening their civic engagement and trust in institutions, as they often perceive military service as a constraint far removed from their personal aspirations, as noted by Jan Kallberg for CEPA.
The Question of the Legitimacy of War and the Use of Force
For Kosonen, Alisa, and Teemu in an article for the Journal of Military Studies, the issue of the legitimacy of resorting to armed violence is particularly important for conscripts, who must consider their potential role in acts of war. For many of them, the prospect of using violence, or even taking a life, directly conflicts with their personal beliefs. Young conscripts can be deeply affected by this experience, with long-term repercussions on their personal and professional lives.
This situation can create internal tensions and pose significant challenges for the armed forces, which must reconcile national defence imperatives with respect for freedom of conscience.
Fully aware of this situation, European armies are attempting to take these human dimensions into account by offering alternatives for conscientious objectors.
In several European countries, the latter are exempted from armed service and assigned to non-military tasks, in line with their status, which is based on the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. These rights are guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. At the European level, the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, in its Article 10, §2, explicitly recognises the right to conscientious objection, specifying that this applies according to the national laws in force.
Is Conscription an Unequal Practice?
Mandatory national service also raises questions about the fairness and equality of those who will serve. Critics of conscription highlight the idea that compulsory service can exacerbate socio-economic disparities, with some groups in society finding ways to avoid service, particularly through their networks.
Historically, deferments and exemptions have remained longstanding challenges to the legitimacy of conscription. Loopholes in medical exemptions and the discretionary power of conscription commissioners have allowed wealthy individuals to exploit the system and escape mandatory service, as noted by Tony Ingesson for The Conversation. Those who argue against conscription believe that corruption and favouritism continue to undermine the legitimacy of the institution.
The conscription system is often criticised for its poor representation of the civilian population, particularly in terms of gender. While some advocate for gender-neutral conscription, the reality is that the overrepresentation of men persists, with only Sweden having extended conscription to women in Europe. This issue will be the subject of the next article in our series of publications on compulsory conscription.
Conclusion
While compulsory conscription may address the shortage of military personnel, it raises numerous questions about its relevance and effectiveness in the current context. Unlike reservists, who constitute a voluntarily mobilisable pool, the lack of motivation and incentives among conscripts exacerbates their deficit in training and experience. One of the most frequently discussed imperatives in debates on mandatory military service is the need to modernise training programmes, focusing on the quality of training rather than the quantity of conscripts.
Nations can better meet military requirements while considering social, technological, and economic realities. This requires strong political will and adequate resources to create an effective and responsive military force capable of addressing modern threats while respecting individuals’ rights and aspirations.