Gallup 65 country poll: "Would you fight for your country in case of war ?"

[politicus]

"If there were a war that involved [your country], would you be willing to fight for your country?"

(ranked by net balance)

37-37 Denmark [+/-0]

Pathetic.

EDIT: Well, maybe understandable after Iraq and Afghanistan.

15-64 Netherlands [-49]

In need of some Dutch courage.

[politicus]

Sweden higher than 'Murica?

Sweden has a proud military tradition and they have been used to the idea of having to defend themselves being neutral under the Cold War. Look at Finland with 74-20 [+54]. Scandinavian countries are not pacifist.

[politicus]

27-51 UK [-24].

Good thing the Battle of Britain is not fought today.

EDIT: Well, maybe understandable after Iraq and Afghanistan. Homeland defence would be a different matter.

[politicus]

Here are statistics on the same subject from 1990:

http://www.nationmaster.com/country-info/stats/Lifestyle/Will-fight-for-country

Yes, they had Scandinavian countries at the top.

1      Norway    90%    1990    
1    Sweden    90%    1990    
3    Denmark    89%    1990    
4    Finland    86%    1990

This was in the immediate post-Cold War era where war was thought of as "attack on your country" in Europe. The participation in Iraq/Afghanistan changed that. I think Denmark having the highest losses per capita in Afghanistan played a big role in our drop. In Finland and Sweden the question is likely still interpreted as defense of homeland.

"Would you defend your country if it was attacked?" would be a more interesting question.

[politicus]

5    United States    78%    1990    
6    Australia    75%            1990    
=7    Switzerland    74%    1990    
=7    United Kingdom 74%    1990    
9    Netherlands    69%    1990

US fifth with Vietnam almost a generation behind and long before Iraq/Afghanistan. Britain post-Falkland was also quite high. The Brits had second highest per capita loss in Afghanistan and also high per capita loss in  Iraq.

It is interesting that the Netherlands were actually in top 10 back then, and they have not had the same losses in overseas operations as Britain and Denmark.

The humiliation in Srebrenica shouldn't be that influential. Again I think that the lack of a realistic threat to the homeland is crucial, still the collapse in willingness to fight has been far larger in the Netherlands than in other similar countries.

[politicus]

5    United States    78%    1990    
6    Australia    75%            1990    
=7    Switzerland    74%    1990    
=7    United Kingdom 74%    1990    
9    Netherlands    69%    1990

US fifth with Vietnam almost a generation behind and long before Iraq/Afghanistan. Britain post-Falkland was also quite high. The Brits had second highest per capita loss in Afghanistan and also high per capita loss in  Iraq.

It is interesting that the Netherlands were actually in top 10 back then, and they have not had the same losses in overseas operations as Britain and Denmark.

The humiliation in Srebrenica shouldn't be that influential. Again I think that the lack of a realistic threat to the homeland is crucial, still the collapse in willingness to fight has been far larger in the Netherlands than in other similar countries.

Never ever mention Srebrenica to a Dutchman.

And it's not as if that's the only reason for Dutch national confidence to take a bit of a fall over the last 25 years.

What are you thinking of?