Conscription, War-Capable Bundeswehr and Defensive Society in Times of Hybrid Warfare

The concepts of “warfighting capability” and societal “defensive capability” introduced by Federal Defence Minister Pistorius have heated up a long simmering debate about the suspension of compulsory military service. It is far from certain that a proposed new military service model will be implemented. There is thus a risk of a renewed debate about fundamental issues such as the duration, form and limits of state-tolerated voluntariness or even the introduction of general compulsory military service. To contribute to a more informed debate this article shines a critical light on deeply entrenched, but often erroneous assumptions about central aspects of this issue. For example, contrary to common stereotypes, Generation Z, which is affected by the new model, is politically interested, informed and socially committed. Likewise, it is not self-evident that individual commitment to the community or “nation” and effective socialisation are linked to military service and conscription. Furthermore, the matter of fairness in the practice of conscription bears closer scrutiny. The current debate on prospective compulsory service of women needs a great deal more nuance, as women still face specific challenges from a lack of gender-appropriate uniforms to sexual harassment and ­assault, and are in the majority the main carers in family contexts. Fairness, however, also has generational dimensions. The current security environment does call for adequate military capabilities, but in the context of hybrid threats combined with challenges that arise from the effect of global heating, the article argues that this should be complemented with a wider service to society to which all age groups can contribute. With both military service and service to society recruiting on a voluntary basis, the model goes beyond military readiness and builds societal defensive capability by fostering positive resilience through lived experience of democracy and inclusion.