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Voluntary soldier in Europe in the 20th century The voluntary soldier in Europe in the 20th century: From political commitment to professional engagement

Abstract

Colloque organised by UMR 5609 of the CNRS, Paul Valéry University, Montpellier III. Acts of the Montpellier International Colloquium from 3 to 5 April 2003 National audience At the threshold of the twenty-first century, conscription tends to disappear in Europe in favour of professional armies or those in the process of being professionalised. Europe is built in its broadest sense, from the Atlantic to the Urals, in a context of common peace and defence; efforts to develop a European defence (Eurocorps, Eurofor) are preparing the professional and operational forces of tomorrow. In fact, the recruitment of military personnel increasingly depends on the call for volunteering. On this point, some countries such as Great Britain, where the tradition of a professional army is deeply rooted, are better prepared than others, such as France, Italy or Germany, historically attached to conscription. Thus, there is a double transformation: mass recruitment, which is for a long time the main expression of defence duties, is gradually being phased out in favour of volunteering, while volunteering itself changes meaning, with political commitment disappearing in favour of professional engagement. What are the reasons for this: ideological, political, social, professional reasons, taste of adventure? Despite the great diversity of situations, can we highlight circles (professional, family, political) or times that encourage engagement? In addition, what are the boundaries between political or intellectual engagement and military engagement? What steps are being taken from one step to the next? In which cases, on the contrary, does this border remain unmanageable and why? In short, is there a specific feature of military engagement, or is it merely a continuation or extension of political or ideological commitments? This colloquium seeks to provide a few elements of response in keeping with a chronological approach scattered by the main conflicts that marked Europe’s tragic history in the 20th century, while at the same time making it possible to highlight the development that has led to commitments that have been largely triggered, up to the Second World War, on political or ideological grounds for recruitment in the end of the century, mainly based on a professional choice.

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