Armed Forces and societies

In a democratic system the relationship between the armed forces and civil society is a question of fundamental importance. From the national security perspective, it is crucial for public opinion to recognize the importance of defense and the resources that implement it to ensure that this strategic voice is given sufficient space in political debate and above all in the public finances. The media – not just newspapers, but also cultural and audiovisual outlets – have an important role to play in constructing a positive image of the armed forces within the social fabric.  There are significant cultural differences between the way the armed forces are perceived in Italy and in other nations, for example the United States. There, military personnel, and their service to their country, are highly esteemed. In Italy, however, there has been, and remains, a fracture between the armed forces and civil society. This is probably the result of a historical legacy dating from the end of the second world war. Recent surveys show that a very large majority of Italians – nearly 80% – would not be willing to fight to defend their country. This figure diverges significantly from other countries, where the percentage fluctuates between 30% and 50%. And yet in times of crisis, when the role of the military apparatus in tackling disasters and safeguarding public well-being appears evident, that fracture seems to heal. One point that cannot be ignored is that in Italy the debate on the use of the armed forces has often led to political and social tensions. The word “war” has long been considered a taboo, with even the military’s “war schools” having to change their names. Italian policy-makers have often delegated the management of security to the supranational level. They have presented military operations primarily as “peace missions”, and in so doing diminished their strategic-military value. This narrative has helped create a public perception of the armed forces more as a superfluous cost than as a necessary investment.  Education and awareness-raising around defense can therefore facilitate the creation of a fruitful relationship between the armed forces and society. A topic which also has a central place in the European debate, and on which a ministerial committee is working. This work needs to begin in the nation’s schools, with a far-sighted political strategy that goes beyond ideological positions.

Moreover, in a geopolitical scenario that has undergone profound changes, threats to security are increasing and assuming a global and multiform dimension. This growing complexity is already generating an increased demand for security from citizens; thus highlighting the need for an efficient military apparatus with an adequate deterrence capacity. To provide sufficient financial resources for future security, it will be necessary to influence public opinion, which is generally poorly informed of the strategic importance of the military apparatus. Maintaining credible armed forces requires considerable investment in human resources, materials, training, technology, and infrastructure. Alongside this, the armed forces need to be viewed not just as instruments of military security but also as actors with a role to play in ensuring the stability that is needed for social and economic prosperity, and as a driver of technological innovation with positive repercussions on various sectors of the economy. Building on the positive contribution made by the armed forces also means working to attract skilled human capital, people ready to address the increasingly complex challenges that our country is facing. Italy has seen a marked fall in applications for officer positions. This seems to be linked in part to the difficulties of a career where achieving a work-life balance can be problematic. And the biggest obstacle in some specialist sectors, such as cybersecurity, is the inability to offer competitive pay rates. There is a need, therefore, at the societal-cultural level, to work on the values and spirit of service to the community that guide people working in the defense sector, to help bridge the gap between young people and the military world.  This is an effort that Italy must make, together with many other European countries. In recent decades the illusion of “perpetual peace” has led many Western armies to underestimate the importance of military readiness, to the point of undermining any credible deterrence capacity. So the crucial challenge for the future – at both the national and the European levels – is to redefine the value of military service, i.e. the perception of its value to society. Developing a new and clearer value proposition is the first step in strengthening the bond between citizens and the armed forces and ensuring that defense continues to be a strong pillar of Italian democracy.