A contribution to military readiness or a waste of youth? Conscription was controversial even before its introduction in the Federal Republic of Germany in 1956: to some, a symbol of militarization and the curtailment of freedom; to others, a guarantee of defensive capability and the strengthening of young people. Its suspension in 2011 marked the end of an erafor the time being. More than 8.4 million young men performed military service, having widely varied experiences ranging from boredom to a test of character, from a loss of autonomy to a broadening of horizons. Today, conscription is back on the political agenda. Should young people once again be required to serve in the armed forces? Anyone wishing to answer this question needs to understand the history of conscription. Eckard Michels presents the first comprehensive and engagingly written account of the subjecta work that is both well-founded and highly relevant to current debates.
Author
Michels, Eckard
Title
Beim Bund
Details
Numerous illustrations. 464 pages.
Subtitle
Die Geschichte der Wehrpflicht in der Bundesrepublik
Herder Verlag GmbH Hermann-Herder-Str. 4 79104 Freiburg Deutschland
