Sicherheit 2010 - Center for Security Studies (CSS) - ETH Zürich

Sicherheit 2010
budget. The level of confidence in the armed forces bounced back from a decline
last year but still lies below the long-term average. The social prestige of a militia
career has decreased in the long term; however, it has regained in 2010. Advocates
of a militia or an all-volunteer force almost balance each other. Yet, the militia
is slightly more popular among the population. On the whole, the Swiss Armed
Forces are approved of, but opinions are divided when it comes to the question of
their size and form.
Deployments abroad: Although there is continued scepticism about deployments
of the Swiss Armed Forces abroad, they are accepted by a narrow majority. At the
same time, there is no consensus on various aspects of these deployments such as
the size of deployments, use of force, compliance with the neutrality principle and
international solidarity.
Civilian service: The civilian service is highly approved by the population today.
In principle, everyone should be free to choose whether he wants to do civilian
service or military service. At the same time, it is clear that a person must have
moral issues regarding military service in order to be eligible for civilian service.
16