JOURNAL ARTICLE

Conscription and Political Participation: How Conscription Policies Affect Voter Turnout.

  • Published In: Armed Forces & Society (Sage Publications Inc.), 2024, v. 50, n. 1. P. 315 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Choi, Min Jae; Yoo, Seung Wook; Bowersox, Zack 3 of 3

Abstract

This article empirically examines the relationship between states’ use of conscription—mandatory military service—and levels of political participation, specifically voter turnout, during peacetime from 1982 to 2008. Using logistic regression on a global dataset, the study finds that conscription alone does not significantly increase voter turnout; however, in states with higher levels of democracy, conscription is associated with substantially higher electoral participation. This suggests that conscription may enhance civic efficacy primarily when democratic institutions are strong, independent of wartime conditions or immediate security threats. The findings highlight evolving citizen-state relations around compulsory service and raise questions about the future viability and social acceptance of conscription policies in various political contexts.

Additional Information

  • Source:Armed Forces & Society (Sage Publications Inc.). 2024/01, Vol. 50, Issue 1, p315
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Military History and Science
  • Publication Date:2024
  • ISSN:0095-327X
  • DOI:10.1177/0095327X221112028
  • Accession Number:173948910
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Armed Forces & Society (Sage Publications Inc.) is the property of Sage Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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