Vojna služba – faktor unapre|enja društveno-političkoga statusa?
Military Service – Factor of Improvement of Sociopolitical Status?

Summary/Abstract: The article discusses the impact of military service on civil rights and social status of women, ethnic/national minorities and gays/lesbians. Military service is analysed in its two principal aspects – organizational and cultural. First, regarding the organizational dimension, the central issue is the institution of military service. The issue of conscription is closely connected to the concept of civil rights and duties, and to citizenship status. This is most clearly expressed through the idea of citizen-soldier. During history, joining the army represented an opportunity for underprivileged individuals to foster their socio-political status. Second, traditional military norms and values, that is, military (sub)culture, legitimizes or delegitimizes discriminatory praxes towards "others". Contemporary armed forces are becoming more inclusive and tolerant, and are adopting antidiscriminatory policies and regulations. At the same time, many of them are abolishing conscription or, others, discussing the possibility of abolishment of conscription. Military service has become an individual choice, and the citizen-soldier concept became meaningless. Armed forces ceased to be the platform for improvement of political rights and social status.

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