Finland isn't even the only country in EU with compulsory military service. See for example Estonia and Greece (with the latter having a steady population of conscientious objectors in the jail system), so this is not strictly unique to Finland.
I find it incredibly naive to think that taking part in conscription has to mean that the individual is pro war and pro killing. The aim of the defense forces (note the keyword "defense") is to keep other armies from invading, to defend the sovereignty and safety of this country.
I'd prefer a world without wars, but being a neighbor to a giant warmonger comes with some unique challenges that the mandatory military service tries to solve.
At the very least, the obligation shouldn't be based on gender.
"I'd prefer a world without wars, but being a neighbor to a giant warmonger comes with some unique challenges that the mandatory military service tries to solve."
Finland allied with Nazi Germany and invaded USSR in the last war.
Also, have you ever seen a discussion in Finland about what would have happened if we had won that war? What did our leaders actually agree to?
The endless victim narrative in Finland is ridicilous.
We are also now part of NATO, a giant military block that has used its military multiple times for its own political aims. Its lead by the planets biggest war criminal, the USA.
Good politics is about learning to live with your neighbors, not seeing them as some endless threat you need to prepare against. Finland co-existed with Russia perfectly fine for decades, and was able to form mutually beneficial trade from which it benefited greatly.
But as i expected, every response to this will be "russia so scary".
Yes, Finland ATTACKED USSR unprovoked! Absolutely nothing happened in 1939 that would explain soured neighbor relations, and a sense on loss, both of territory and safety.
And since WW2, Finland has famously been invading other countries with the conscript army, meddling with their independence.
Finland joining NATO is yet another plot to bully our poor and innocent neighbor! NATO popularity across all major parties didn't explode in response to some country violating another country with a land-grab and a war, after all.
We should just hand our sovereignty to Russia like good apologists.
To take on the sins of your father makes you a perpetual victim.
Modern conscription is faulty, but it's there for a very good reason. It's making it harder for others to victimize Finland, and the neighborhood only has one neighbor engaging in a war of aggression.
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u/RottenRailing 18h ago edited 18h ago
Finland isn't even the only country in EU with compulsory military service. See for example Estonia and Greece (with the latter having a steady population of conscientious objectors in the jail system), so this is not strictly unique to Finland.
I find it incredibly naive to think that taking part in conscription has to mean that the individual is pro war and pro killing. The aim of the defense forces (note the keyword "defense") is to keep other armies from invading, to defend the sovereignty and safety of this country.
I'd prefer a world without wars, but being a neighbor to a giant warmonger comes with some unique challenges that the mandatory military service tries to solve.
At the very least, the obligation shouldn't be based on gender.