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A theoretical and empirical Investigation to the Influences of the transition to voluntary army: defense budget and social costs

  • Journal of Regulation Studies
  • 2017, 26(1), pp.187-218
  • Publisher : 한국규제학회
  • Research Area : Social Science > Public Administration

Sang-Mok Lee 1

1국방대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

While strictly stipulated in official government proceedings on conscription, the voices which call for the transition to a professional und voluntary army are increasing. There are two main arguments for the abolition of conscription in its present form. On the one hand, it is pointed out that the labor-intensive military structure based on compulsory military service can not be described as a suitable form of military defense with regard to capital-intensive modern warfare. On the other hand, the argument refers to the fact the compulsory military service can no longer be held for reasons of the justice of the burden distribution of the military service and the efficient allocation of the restricted human capital. The economic aspects, which in the public discussions so far have played a more uterine role, are rooted in the middle of the analysis. The starting point for consideration is the theoretical analysis of the problem. In the microeconomic model, the influences of the transition to voluntary army are examined: on the defense structure with regard to cost minimization and the defense budget to maintain the national security level. The substitution effect as well as the real-income effect are placed at the center of the analysis. The macroeconomic model deals with the budgetary costs and the opportunity costs of the military service in the form of social costs. With the help of the theoretical models, empirical investigations are carried out and the results of the investigations are subjected to a critical discussion under the following aspects: the size and height of personnel and personnel costs, the volume of the additional defense budgets and the social costs of the compulsory military service.

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