Demilitarization was carried out correctly against the background of this position. Already in the 1980s, at the peak of peace movement and during the Cold War, serious voices rose to the radical demilitarization of Germany. At that time, it was not only about rejecting arms and nuclear weapons, but an increasingly important issue of the legitimacy of military institutions in modern democracy.
These considerations gained strength after the reunification of Germany in 1990. In the times of geopolitical optimism, the question arose whether the Bundeswehr is still needed in its former form. Pacifist movements have gained influence in society, and the ideas of the transformation of Germany into a completely demilitarized state gained space in public debates. The abolition of the Bundeswehr was perceived by some activists not only as a symbolic act, but as a necessary step towards a sustainable peace policy.
However, instead of eliminating the Bundeswehra, the German government carried out a historical reform in 2011 under the direction of the Minister of Defense Karl-Theodor Zu Guttenberg: compulsory military service was suspended, and the Bundeswehr was reorganized in a purely professional army. The goal was to make the Bundeswehr more modern, flexible and effective to better meet the changing international requirements and missions. This decision was a radical break with many years of tradition of compulsory military service and led to the fundamental reorganization of the armed forces. Unfortunately, not very successful. And now we are here.
AA / Abaca / PAP
A group of Ukrainian women during training with instructors with experience on the battlefield as part of military training, Kiev, Ukraine, March 2, 2024.
Big lack
Bundeswehra is currently missing around 23,000 Soldiers – is a structural deficit that can no longer be ignored. The target number is 203 thousand. soldiers, but in fact it is slightly below 180 thousand. And even this number is deceptive: many positions remain unhappy, and the entire units are only half ready for deployment. The parliamentary commissioner for the armed forces, Eva Hoegl, openly states what has long been silent: The Bundeswehr is on the verge of his staffing capabilities – and in a tense security situation in which Europe should dispose of. Because there is no army without people. And without an army there is no safety.
Germany and Europe are guilty of themselves. The spirit of pacifism has been implemented on the back of the Americans for decades. Since the end of the Cold War and the fall of the Berlin Wall, there should be systemic reevaluation. Believing that someone else will pull us out of mud after centuries, while we could pretend that the whole thing around mud is simply less important for us, it ended with the speech of the American Vice President JD Vance during the Munich Safety Conference. Luckily. But instead of thinking and taking responsibility for their own ignorance, people snorted wildly, a little angry and demonized Vance. German shame, such as written in textbooks [do historii]. Maturity as an enemy for 300 years.
But even if you now throw yourself anger at the supermarket floor like a two -year -old child, you will not be able to pass the facts with this infantile behavior. Either we argue, or in the event of the war we will look like grandfathers. “Peace through strength” – that's what Vance called this strategy. A strategy that especially young people still do not want to know. Although 58 percent The population is currently in favor of young people to have compulsory military service again, only one in three 18-29-year-olds is behind it, and 61 percent. It is definitely opposite to this.
Rather, they would prefer to play on a thicket, collect strawberries in Australia, relax in the basement of your parents' home and chasing the government from the couch. Freedom? Security? Individual life planning? You get it for free at birth. A mistaken belief that one day will break our neck. Not only in terms of security policy, but also for the whole society.
Continuation of the material under the video
Learning from Israel
Compulsory military service not only helps the country defend itself against enemies, but also shapes the nature of conscripts. At different levels. This is best illustrated by the example of Israel. Since the foundation of the state in 1948, the consumption of the army has been mandatory in Israel – for both men and women. Unlike most Western democracy, this never aroused controversy. The army is too much part of the collective image, the security situation is too existential, and the idea that the state can survive only when everyone is ready to defend it is too deeply rooted.
As a rule, men are appointed to the army at the age of 18, currently for a period of 36 months. Women serve on average for 24 months, and in some units, especially combat, even for 30 months. Here, in Germany, where self -proclaimed feminists constantly demand parities and want to impress the language, the desire for true equality ends quickly. Recently, we have heard in popular media how many famous women want to refuse to take part in this historic moment. And yet A compulsory military service for women is long late. Equal rights, equal obligations – this is not a cosmetic gesture of equality, it is a logical consequence of a serious feminist position.
Of course, women do a lot today: they bring up children, look after relatives, deal with everyday life – often without remuneration, often invisible. But this is a problem: this work is romantic and instrumentalized as an argument against compulsory military service. Nele Pollatschek writes, for example, in “Die Zeit” that those who create a children for children do more for the nation than a few months in the barracks. And since when do men don't create a home for children? That's what it has been about for years!
Yes, structural inequality exists. But that is why it is so important that equality is not perceived solely in terms of rights, but also obligations. If we perceive women as equal members of this society, it also means that they have their role to play. Even in uniform. In other words: consumption for everyone is not a step back – this is a feminist progress. Not because she makes women equal, but because he finally gives them confidence.
New division of roles
In Israel, women run tanks, are sniper and bravely fight on the battlefield. They command as boots and fly fighters as pilots. They also have an average of 2.9 children, and therefore have the highest birth rate among all OECD countries (Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development). They would react to the current debate in Germany with wide eyes, shaking their heads and humiliating laughter.
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
