[Rezension] Ole Nymoen - Warum ich niemals für mein Land kämpfen würde - Über Meinungsmache zur Mobilisierung
Ole Nymoen is a journalist and author. Nymoen publishes with Jacobin and Wohlstand für Alle (Prosperity for Everyone) among others. His book "Why I Would Never Fight for My Country - Against Warfare Capability" was published in 2025 following an article in Die Zeit. The book's starting point is the debate surrounding rearmament and the reintroduction of conscription in Germany.
Nymoen criticizes the promotion of warfare capability instead of merely defense capability. For him a state's security and defense interests do not necessarily align with the interests of its citizens. Consequently he questions the population's willingness to defend themselves and even their own country. The book is divided into three parts. In the first part Nymoen provides explanations and reasons for war from the perspective of governments as it allows them to maintain their power. And in the third part Nymoen addresses readers' letters and criticisms of his arguments.
The Use of War
Support for conscription is greatest among those who are not affected by it due to their age. Support is lowest among those who are affected by conscription. Nymoen highlights the contrast between the impositions of governments in recent decades (Agenda 2010, increased VAT, low pension levels) and the current government's sudden demand for military readiness. It's as if the government first has nothing to offer to the population and then demands that the population makes sacrifices. Nymoen accuses those who advocate a paradigm shift in defense policy and call for unity of being the same people who incite hatred against the unemployed and drive people into poverty. Furthermore the government's co-opting of the population as a community of shared destiny is questioned. Despite growing inequality and shrinking state welfare the population is expected to act as citizens with responsibility for that very state. [1, p.9-22, 25-30]
Nymoen describes the co-opting of citizens as soldiers by their commanders-in-chief. While commanders-in-chief of hostile states are in conflict with one another the soldiers of hostile states may share interests or even have no conflict of their own. Instead commanders-in-chief of hostile states could also settle their conflict in a personal duel. But they do not do this. War is not meaningless. Wars are rarely meaningless. However this meaning is often repugnant. [1, p.31-40]
Nymoen criticizes the co-opting of the population by the state that attacks another and by the state that defends itself against another. For Nymoen the crucial point is not the state's intention but how it treats its population in pursuit of that intention. In this context he questions whether the negative consequences of an occupation justify the losses experienced through the mobilization of the population. [1, p.41-47]
Furthermore Nymoen views states as instruments of power. States are not service providers to the people who bestow benefits. States use their citizens for their own purposes. Accordingly being a citizen is not a blessing but a misfortune. [1, p.55-68]
Criticism
If war is the continuation of politics by military means then mobilization is also a means of competing for power. Nymoen describes criticisms of this thesis which specifically ignores power relations in liberal democracies. [1, p.121-125]
Herrscher? Beherrschte? Untertanen? In welchem Land lebt Herr Nymoen? Sicher nicht in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland! Natürlich möchte niemand im Krieg sterben. Aber selbstbestimmte Demokraten wollen auch nicht unter einer aufgezwungen Fremdherrschaft leben.
Rulers? Ruled? Subjects? In which country does Mr. Nymoen live? Certainly not in the Federal Republic of Germany! Of course nobody wants to die in war. But self-determined democrats also don't want to live under imposed foreign rule. [1, p.121]
Sicherheit vor Fremdherrschaft ist Schutz der eigenen Herrschaft? Lieber das eigene Leben retten, lieber unter fremder Herrschaft leben, als für die eigene Freiheit, Souveränität eintreten?
Is security from foreign rule the protection of one's own power? Would one rather save one's own life, rather live under foreign rule, than stand up for one's own freedom and sovereignty? [1, p.121]
Nymoen's focus on self-determination extends beyond elections to include economic participation and participation in prosperity. Since Nymoen considers this participation inadequate and sees insufficient opportunity to change it through elections, he criticizes the prevailing power structures. [1, p.121-125]
Nymoen also describes criticism leveled against him alleging that he refuses to serve the community or the common good. He is implicitly accused of taking advantage without contributing anything. [1, p.126-129][D]en Meinungsartikel kann ich auf den Kern verkürzen << Ich, Ich, Ich, Ich, Ich >> - << Die anderen? Mir egal! >>
I can sum up this opinion piece to its core << Me, me, me, me, me >> - << The others? I don't care! >> [1, p.126]
Herrschaft, Staat versus Bürger, Beherrschte. Darauf lässt sich alles reduzieren? So etwas wie Gesellschaft, Community, menschliches Wir, soziales Miteinander kommt nicht vor.
Rule, state versus citizen, ruled. Is that all there is to it? Things like society, community, human "we", social interaction are absent. [1, p.126]
Es wird als Zumutung empfunden, sich für dieses Gemeinwesen persönlich einzusetzen, obwohl wir doch alle in mehr oder weniger großem Maße von einem funktionier[en]den Gemeinwesen profitieren. Der Autor sicherlich auch.
It is perceived as an imposition to personally commit oneself to this community even though we all benefit to a greater or lesser extent from a functioning society. The author certainly does too. [1, p.126]
For Nymoen the question is exactly the opposite. For him it is the governments that demand contributions from the population's in the form of military service but deny many the same contribution in the form of social benefits or public services. Nymoen therefore questions why people should make themselves available for military service if the government does not justify this service. [1, p.126-129]
Src:[1] Ole Nymoen - Warum ich niemals für mein Land kämpfen würde - Gegen die Kriegstüchtigkeit - ISBN 978-3-499-01755-1
[2] Jacobin - Ole Nymoen
https://www.jacobin.de/autoren/ole-nymoen
[3] Wohlstand für Alle
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRprqV4FxwrWQJbZ0VLFS_g
[4] Ich, für Deutschland kämpfen? Never!
https://www.zeit.de/2024/32/wehrpflicht-deutschland-kaempfen-junge-menschen-bundeswehr
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