Should conscription be reintroduced?

Poll results

Should conscription be reintroduced?
Support
Reject
Don't know
52%
44%
4%
PolitPro Community – 3834 respondents – 27.11.2023-04.12.2023

Poll information

Should conscription be reintroduced? 52% of respondents are in favor of reintroducing conscription, while 44% are against.

4% chose the answer "Don't know". The survey was conducted among 3834 users of the PolitPro app during 27.11.2023-04.12.2023. The results are not representative, but may give a rough idea of the political mood around the issue.

Pros - What's in favor?

  1. Strengthening the sense of community: Conscription promotes cohesion and a sense of responsibility within society. Service to the community teaches values such as teamwork, discipline and social responsibility. This strengthens the sense of community and promotes an understanding of the country and its institutions.
  2. Security and defense: In uncertain times and in the face of new threats, compulsory military service can help ensure national defense. A broader recruitment base and a larger reserve of trained soldiers can strengthen the country's defense capabilities.
  3. Equal opportunities and integration: Compulsory military service offers an opportunity to integrate young people from different social classes and cultural backgrounds. By serving together, they learn to rely on each other and overcome prejudices. This promotes equal opportunities and social cohesion.

Cons - What's against it?

  1. Voluntariness and individual choice: Compulsory military service means a restriction of individual freedom. Every citizen should be able to decide for himself whether or not he wants to serve society. Compulsory military service could be perceived as unjust and outmoded.
  2. Career prospects: Compulsory military service may prevent young people from pursuing careers or continuing their education at an early age. For some, this could lead to disadvantages in their later careers. A voluntary army allows citizens to shape their individual life paths without being constrained by a mandatory period of service.
  3. Cost and efficiency: The reintroduction of compulsory military service would require considerable financial resources. The training and care of conscripts, as well as the necessary infrastructure and equipment, are associated with high costs. It is argued that these financial resources should be invested more efficiently in other areas such as education, infrastructure or social projects.