To put it in perspective: the USA has it (but dormant as it was last used in the 60s) now, instead part of an automatic register. I’ve heard that last year Germany for example proposed to impose a mandatory, volunteer-focused military service model on boosting defense against threats like Russia but would you really enlist in the German Army (Bundeswehr) or refuse instead of adhereing to politicians interests?

I’ve heard a similar thing in France with them introducing a new voluntary 10-month military service program for 18-19 year olds starting this summer 2026, but would guys there be willing to enlist or outright refuse? What ever the case is, would guys in Europe either accept voluntary military service imposed by their nation or refuse to enlist as they know that politicians are the ones who instigate wars in the first place?

For EU nations that still have the draft enforced (mandatory conscription): what happens if guys refuse it? Do they end up in jail? In that case, would you rather be imprisoned for refusing or comply? I know that some countries have alternative service (civic) rather than conventional military service, but what happens if the individual refuses either? I mean, is it a criminal offense for simply refusing conscription?

  • SilentStriker@piefed.socialOPEnglish
    2·
    22 hours ago

    depends on the war
    When referencing from the American perspective: A LOT or often - it involves the MIC (complejo militar-industrial) which in their case is the collab between defense companies (i.e. Lockheed Martin) & the government on making the big bucks (basically making money by arms trading). I’m not sure about Spain though…

    • ExLisper@lemmy.curiana.netEnglish
      1·
      22 hours ago

      Spain haven’t invaded other countries in some time and there’s pretty much 0 chance it will start drafting people for a war abroad. If it tried I would refuse.

      • SilentStriker@piefed.socialOPEnglish
        1·
        22 hours ago

        I mean, does Spain really have a military industrial complex? Which is basically politico-military relations, like a “business” rapport between the government, armed forces and defense contractors? Are there even weapons manufactuers based & operated in Spain (like how the US has Raytheon)?

        • ExLisper@lemmy.curiana.netEnglish
          1·
          22 hours ago

          Every country has weapons manufacturers. It’s a strategic industry and every country tries hard to maintain it. You don’t want to end up in a situation where you import all your weapons because if shit hits the fan you can be completely cut off and defenseless. So typically government tries to prop up local industry by ordering weapons from them. If they are lucky they also sell something to other countries. Spain for example manufactures some airplanes for Airbus, like CASA and they assemble Eurofighters. They have their own submarine program and build their own navy. Indra is a really big company for example. But it’s all tiny in comparison with US and not a corrupt so it’s difficult to convince politicians to start a war just to sell more weapons.

          • SilentStriker@piefed.socialOPEnglish
            1·
            22 hours ago

            import all your weapons because if shit hits the fan you can be completely cut off and defenseless Believe it or not, the US (despite being a “first world” country) still imports semi conductors from China which are used for advanced military hardware but access can be revoked at any time if they’re at war.

            • ExLisper@lemmy.curiana.netEnglish
              1·
              21 hours ago

              Yes, it’s a global economy and dependencies exist. Everyone is still trying to limit them as much as possible.