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A Gallup poll has revealed that most western Europeans would be unwilling to fight for their country. Outliers are Finland (74%) and Sweden (55%). On the opposite end of the spectrum are Germany and the Netherlands, where only 18% and 15% report they would be willing to fight for their country. Overall only one quarter (25%) of western Europeans would be willing to fight for their country. In contrast, an average of 78% in Muslim countries would be willing to fight for the country. The world average is about 61%.
I wonder if Finland and Sweden are referring to each other!
Just joking around.
But when you consider the age, histories, cultures, and current events in the countries listed, it seems to all make sense for me. Countries like Germany would have little reason to envision someone picking a fight with them (at least, I can't imagine it from over here in the States), plus with Germany in particular, WWII and the Berlin Wall are still in living memory. I would think if anyone has gotten the barbarism of war and divisiveness out of their system, it would be Germany, an old, old culture with disasters that are recent in comparison to the rest of its history.
Russia, however, has a foot right there on the same land mass as Finland. Maybe I'm projecting as an American, but I can see that being a source of constant, low-level static for Finland, especially given the history of the relations between the two.
And yet I also wonder how much of this is people who have the freedom to vocalize annoyance with their governments taking the opportunity to grumble a little bit, but when push came to shove, they would lay down their lives for their countries. Some of it might be dependent on who the aggressors are, too. Jihad Johnnies come to town, yes, defend and protect. But hey, if Canada wants to invade, it might be an improvement!
We're living difficult times, thinking about fighting for a country with a goverment that isn't doing anything for their citizens other than screwing them over and over is the last thing on the priority list, especially when there are more important things to think about, like... having enough money to feed yourself.
But if **** actually went down you can bet that mentality would change fast.
Last edited by Arigarisha; 10-12-2015 at 11:15 AM..
Reason: I am speaking about Spain, bai da güei.
Russia, however, has a foot right there on the same land mass as Finland. Maybe I'm projecting as an American, but I can see that being a source of constant, low-level static for Finland, especially given the history of the relations between the two.
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