Conscription as Subject of National Security - Comparative Perspective in Europe at the Beginning of the 21st Century

The volume presents analysis of conscription models in six European countries, four of which continuously kept conscription (Estonia, Finland, Norway, and Switzerland), and two re-established conscriptions in recent years (Lithuania and Sweden). The first part of the book provides a description of country-specific aspects related to conscription. The second part is dedicated for an in-depth analysis of the following topics: attitudes towards defence forces; adaptation to conditions during conscription; motivation to do initial military service; unit cohesion during conscription; leadership in the context of conscription; intentions to move from conscription to military professionals. Empirical data was collected in 2021-2022 by 8783 recruits. The book is an outstanding source of knowledge and a practical tool for conscription models suitable for the certain country. The volume is of interest to defence practitioners and policy makers, researchers, teachers and students who focus on military sociology and defence politics.

List of contents

Theoretical and Methodological Approach - The Conscription Phenomenon, and The Context of its Analysis in Europe.- Conscription in Estonia - 'Voluntary Conscription' as a Response to Changing Society.- Conscription in Finland - A Bedrock of Strong Deterrence and Defense.- Conscription in Lithuania - Still Under Discussion, Should it Be Compulsory and Universal, or Voluntary Only?.-Conscription in Norway - Between Long-lasting Tradition and Modern System.- Conscription in Sweden - Conscription in Times of Defense Growth.- Conscription in Switzerland - An Important Element in the Swiss Society.- Attitudes Towards Defence Forces - Evaluation of Conscription, Military and Defense.- Attitudes Towards Adaption to Three Different Fields - Military Life, Military Routines, Separation from Family and Friends.- Motivation to Complete Conscript Training - Between Duty to the Homeland and Patriotism.- Unit Cohesion During Conscription.- Leadership in the Context of Conscription.- Conscripts' Intentions to Become a Military Professional.- Conscription in Europe - Critical Insights on the Current State and Future Developments.

About the author

About the EditorsTibor Szvircsev Tresch is a lecturer on military sociology at the Military Academy at the ETH Zurich.
Vida Česnuitytė is a Chief Researcher at the General Jonas Žemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania.
Kairi Kasearu is a professor of empirical sociology at the University of Tartu in Estonia.
Teija Sederholm is an adjunct professor at the Finnish National Defence University.
Johan Österberg is a researcher and senior lecturer at the Swedish Defence University.

Product details

• Assisted by: Vida Cesnuityt_ (Editor), Vida Cesnuityte (Editor), Vida Česnuitytė (Editor), Kairi Kasearu (Editor), Kairi Kasearu et al (Editor), Johan Österberg (Editor), Teija Sederholm (Editor), Tibor Szvircsev Tresch (Editor)
• Publisher: Springer, Berlin
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 08.06.2025
• EAN: 9783658475444
• ISBN: 978-3-658-47544-4
• No. of pages: 303
• Dimensions: 148 mm x 17 mm x 210 mm
• Weight: 416 g
• Illustrations: XV, 303 p. 27 illus., 7 illus. in color.
• Series: Militär und Sozialwissenschaften/The Military and Social Research
• Subjects: Social sciences, law, business > Sociology > Labour, economic and industrial sociology; Motivation, NATO, Politik und Staat, Leadership, Recruitment, Political Sociology, Retention, Cohesion, Sociology of Organizations and Occupations, conscription, national security, Armed Forces, Defence Forces, Military Profession