On May 25, 2024, the British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, promised to reinstate compulsory national service, a practice which has been suspended in the United Kingdom since 1963. The government was quick to explain that this system did not amount to conscription. However, I argue that calling this system “national service” rather than “conscription” does not change its fundamental nature; the defining characteristic of conscription is its compulsory nature, meaning that individuals are legally required to participate. Regardless of the terminology used to describe this practice, if the service is compulsory and imposed by law, with legal consequences for those who refuse to perform it, it constitutes conscription. Thus, the essence of the requirement – its mandatory application and sanctions for non-compliance – remains unchanged despite the name used to describe it. It is also argued that contrary to claims that national service can help promote a sense of “social unity” and “heterogeneity” among young people, “conscription” or “national service” will not be a solution. miracle to systemic staffing problems within the UK. armed forces and cannot be considered a panacea in the face of the reduction in military personnel, down 32% since 2000 according to the Forces Network.
The United Kingdom suspended conscription in 1963, moving toward a professional volunteer army. Relations between professional soldiers differ considerably from those between conscripts. Professional soldiers enter into an employment contract with the armed forces, accepting specific duties and responsibilities. This professional framework ensures a higher level of commitment and expertise since military personnel voluntarily choose this career path. This volunteerism is essential to maintaining a motivated and effective military force, as it attracts individuals truly committed to the defense of their country.
Conversely, conscripts enlisted for a defined period retain most of their civil rights and cannot be considered true volunteers. Their incorporation into a professional military can also affect the morale and performance of professional military personnel. From a moral point of view, the imposition of compulsory service infringes on individual freedoms and can arouse resistance and resentment among conscripts, unless they have a genuine belief in the effectiveness of the conscription system.
January 2024 YouGov survey points out that more than a third of under-40s in the UK would refuse conscription in the event of a world war, thus calling into question the feasibility of reinstating conscription. This statistic reflects a significant lack of public support for mandatory service and suggests potential enforcement challenges. It is also unclear how the government would fund and implement a national service program that respects individual autonomy while being cost-effective. Implementing such a program would require considerable resources and infrastructure, which could divert funds from other critical areas of defense and public service.
In countries with conscripted or hybrid (professional and enlisted) armed forces, persons eligible for conscription who refuse to assume military duty for religious, philosophical, ideological, ethical, moral, conscientious, humanistic, or humanitarian reasons are permitted to perform alternative civilian service. Countries such as Denmark, Finland, Norway and Switzerland allow new conscripts, as well as those already serving, to apply for conscientious exemptions, even if their beliefs change during their service. Although this approach is considered more ethically respectful, it nevertheless imposes obligatory service on individuals, which may not align with modern democratic values that emphasize personal freedom and autonomy.
The push toward conscription is not only outdated, but also impractical. Finland typically recruits around 25,000 conscripts per year for compulsory service and is arguably well supported by Finnish public opinion, although its long-term sustainability in a changing geopolitical landscape has been questionable (Kosonen et al, 2022). In any case, comparing the British armed forces to those of countries that maintain conscription is an exercise in futility. The UK has been a member of NATO since 1949, while maintaining several foreign military bases such as in Gibraltar and Cyprus, used to launch missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, and more recently in 2024, in cooperation with the United States. United when they targeted Houthi sites in Afghanistan. the Red Sea. The size of the British armed forces relative to other countries in Europe can also be seen in comparisons of personnel figures; It should be noted that the United Kingdom has 153,200 active military personnel, compared to 19,250 active personnel recruited by the Finnish armed forces (forces.net).
Some believe that instead of conscription, the British government should consider other options to address the shortage of military personnel, such as promoting the creation of volunteer forces. Germany offers a voluntary military service program, presented on the government website as “an opportunity and not an obligation,” which allows individuals to serve up to twenty-three months. This model provides flexibility and attracts volunteers who are genuinely interested in military service, ensuring a more motivated and professional force. The remuneration is significantly more attractive with salaries starting from 1,500 euros per month, increasing to 1,900 euros per month throughout the scheme. Since 2021, Germany also offers the “Freiwilliger Wehrdienst im Heimatschutz» (voluntary military service to Homeland Security) for a period of active duty of seven months (three months of basic general training and four months of special training for Homeland Security), which can be extended up to a total of twelve month. Through these initiatives, Germany offers the possibility of joining the armed forces without enlisting as a soldier for several years, which can have a deterrent effect for some individuals. Voluntary military service can also bridge the gap between starting a degree program and training, making it an attractive option for recent graduates or career changers.
For those who wish to volunteer but not undertake any tasks of a military nature, Germany offers access to Federal Voluntary Service (BFD), successor to the old “civil service”, while military service was compulsory in Germany, Germany having abolished conscription relatively recently in 2011. The Federal Voluntary Service offers young people the opportunity to engage in various social and environmental projects, allowing them to contribute to society without bearing arms. This alternative not only respects individual autonomy, but also promotes a sense of civic responsibility and social contribution.
A professional military force remains more effective, ethical and aligned with modern democratic values than a conscripted army. Conscription, by its very nature, imposes service on individuals, which can lead to ethical dilemmas and practical challenges. Additionally, the administrative and logistical burden of managing an enlisted force can be significant, potentially outweighing the benefits.
The UK government should focus on modernizing its recruitment strategies and offering flexible service options rather than reviving coercive and anachronistic practices. Modern recruitment strategies could include better career development opportunities, educational incentives and better living conditions for service members. Additionally, leveraging modern technology and communications systems that can help promote voluntary programs can help reach a wider audience and attract people who may not have considered a military career (or a civil service) otherwise. Reinstating conscription is neither a practical nor ethical solution to the shortage of military personnel. Instead, efforts to strengthen the UK armed forces should turn towards developing a professional, volunteer-led military force that is motivated, competent and aligned with contemporary democratic values. This will help create a more effective and sustainable military force without resorting to coercive measures. The way forward is to respect individual autonomy and foster genuine commitment to national service through voluntary participation.
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