4 ms·

I don't think you understand the situation. Sweden has a population of 10M. Finland, next to Russia, 5M. Russia - 150M. The power imbalance is so large that the

by fsloth 6y ago

I don't think you understand the situation. Sweden has a population of 10M. Finland, next to Russia, 5M. Russia - 150M. The power imbalance is so large that the only way of making a credible defence strategy is by having the capability to mobilize a significant portion of the population for professional quality defence. This is simply not feasible without a conscription. No, I did not like my conscription (Finland) two decades ago - but I completely understand why it's necessary.

toyg 6y ago
I agree but with one nitpick: you don’t get “professional quality defence” with conscription, especially if people are not called in for refreshers every few months. What you get, though, is effectively a sleeping guerrilla organization that can be mobilised to resist occupation. Very basic military skills can be very effective in such a scenario, which is the most likely one for countries bordering states with overwhelmingly larger arsenals.
- natmaka 6y ago
  Indeed. When an occupation begins such a quickly-established guerilla organization, especially if many civilians keep weapons and are willing to resist, is a huge ordeal for an army of occupation. Any potential aggressor, whatever the imbalance, h
- natmaka 6y ago
  Indeed. When an occupation begins such a quickly-established guerilla organization, especially if many civilians keep weapons and are willing to resist, becomes a huge ordeal for an army of occupation. Any potential aggressor, whatever the imbalance of forces, has to take it into account. Where other major parameters (such as geography, climate and existing infrastructures) favor this guerilla force, then even a huge imbalance may be void.
- fsloth 6y ago
  Disagree. This highly dependent. For example, Finnish Defence Forces are capable of very professional response to external threats. Remember this leverages the entire eligible male population that is highly educated, motivated, and culturally aligned to follow chain of command. There is also the backbone of professional, university trained officer core who manage all of it. Some of the most technical service branches like the air forces utilize professionals extensively as well.

by fsloth 6y ago

toyg 6y ago

I agree but with one nitpick: you don’t get “professional quality defence” with conscription, especially if people are not called in for refreshers every few months. What you get, though, is effectively a sleeping guerrilla organization that can be mobilised to resist occupation. Very basic military skills can be very effective in such a scenario, which is the most likely one for countries bordering states with overwhelmingly larger arsenals.

natmaka 6y ago
Indeed. When an occupation begins such a quickly-established guerilla organization, especially if many civilians keep weapons and are willing to resist, is a huge ordeal for an army of occupation. Any potential aggressor, whatever the imbalance, h
natmaka 6y ago
Indeed. When an occupation begins such a quickly-established guerilla organization, especially if many civilians keep weapons and are willing to resist, becomes a huge ordeal for an army of occupation. Any potential aggressor, whatever the imbalance of forces, has to take it into account. Where other major parameters (such as geography, climate and existing infrastructures) favor this guerilla force, then even a huge imbalance may be void.
fsloth 6y ago
Disagree. This highly dependent. For example, Finnish Defence Forces are capable of very professional response to external threats. Remember this leverages the entire eligible male population that is highly educated, motivated, and culturally aligned to follow chain of command. There is also the backbone of professional, university trained officer core who manage all of it. Some of the most technical service branches like the air forces utilize professionals extensively as well.