Innere Führung and Military Ethos Under Discussion
Between aspiration and reality – Where does Innere Führung stand? Can the familiar model of the “citizen in uniform” still maintain its claim to validity, or is it in need of readjustment or even re-evaluation and change? That was the opening question in a panel discussion hosted by the German Commission for Justice and Peace and zebis on October 19, 2021, at the Katholische Akademie in Berlin.
In this latest edition of “Ethics and Armed Forces”, we aim to delve deeper into the debate. For it has become apparent, following the withdrawal from Afghanistan, that there is a considerable need for discussion not only within the Bundeswehr but also among the wider public about the role of our armed forces and their leadership principles.
Photo: Janine Schmitz/photothek.net
Tribal cultures and Innere Führung – a contradiction?
Sönke Neitzel
Even in the Bundeswehr, we must not underestimate the bonding force of military subcultures
Summary Full article
Neither warrior ethos nor comfort zone: Innere Führung shouldn’t let itself be disparaged
Summary Full article
Innere Führung as an attempt to answer the question of (military) force: Theological and ethical remarks on the current debate
Markus Patenge
Bundeswehr missions are the touchstone for Innere Führung – not its rebuttal
Summary Full article
Military virtues for today
Peter Olsthoorn
Military ethics requires a deeper understanding of virtues
Summary Full article
“Justice in violence” instead of “justice through violence”: Chivalry challenges common conceptions of war ethics
Summary Full article
Manhood rites – Violent rituals, sexual assault and right-wing extremism in the German armed forces
Rolf Pohl
Degrading and sexualized masculinity rituals in the military follow an unfortunate inner logic
Summary Full article
Special: New Challenges for the Military and Conflict Management
Bravery also means to withstand group pressure and hostility, if necessary
Full article
Make Innere Führung attractive again!
Matthias Schwarzbauer
The “military” content of Innere Führung is all too often ignored
Full article
Reliable, Righteous and Committed to the Service of Luxembourg and its Allies
Steve Thull and Erny Gillen
Helping to shape and anchor values: Opportunities and challenges of a participatory approach
Full article
"We must also reach the soul"
Heinrich Dickerhoff
Ethics education has to make values and responsibility tangible
Interview