The armed forces and society

Abstract

The set‐up of the military forces of Britain has changed dramatically in the last ten years of Conservative Government in terms of size. They defence budget has been cut by 30 percent, which has meant a great reduction in personnel with fewer people having any direct experience of military life, either directly, as a soldier, or as part of a soldier's family. Even so the forces have always enjoyed public support, possibly because they have never been involved in major military mistakes such as Algeria, Afghanistan or Chechnya. The problem, as envisaged by Dr. Reid, is the culture of individualism which developed ‐during the Thatcher years—it is very difficult to foster a military ethos demanding collective action when people do not see themselves as part of a community. The military depends upon support from the civilian population, it must be seen to play an important role in civil life and the economic benefits of a defence budget must also be demonstrated.