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The Finnish Defence Forces As Part of a Democratic Society

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The Finnish Defence Forces As Part of a Democratic Society Maanpuolustuskorkeakoulu Johtamisen ja sotilaspedagogiikan laitos Julkaisusarja 3: Työpapereita nro 2 THE FINNISH DEFENCE FORCES AS PART OF A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY Jaakko Valtanen MAANPUOLUSTUSKORKEAKOULU JOHTAMISEN JA SOTILASPEDAGOGIIKAN LAITOS JULKAISUSARJA 3: TYÖPAPEREITA NRO 2 NATIONAL DEFENCE UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF LEADERSHIP AND MILITARY PEDAGOGY SERIES 3: WORKING PAPERS NO. 2 THE FINNISH DEFENCE FORCES AS PART OF A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY JAAKKO VALTANEN MAANPUOLUSTUSKORKEAKOULU Johtamisen ja sotilaspedagogiikan laitos HELSINKI 2017 The Series 3 Working Papers of the Department of Leadership and Military Pedagogy of the National Defence University are preliminary works in pro- gress that have been posted or published to stimulate discussion and com- ments. In addition, they provide information to the general public. The views, opinions, findings, and conclusions expressed in these papers are strictly those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the Department of Leadership and Military Pedagogy or the National Defence University. Nei- ther the Department of Leadership and Military Pedagogy nor the National Defence University assume responsibility or liability for the statements, opin- ions or conclusions expressed in these papers. Although checked by the de- partmental publishing board of the Department of Leadership and Military Pedagogy, these working papers have not been through a process of blind peer-review. Jaakko Valtanen The Finnish Defence Forces as Part of a Democratic Society Maanpuolustuskorkeakoulu, Johtamisen ja sotilaspedagogiikan laitos Julkaisusarja 3: Työpapereita nro 2 National Defence University, Department of Leadership and Military Pedagogy Series 3: Working Papers No. 2 Uusimmat julkaisut pdf-muodossa: http://www.doria.fi/ Kannen kuva: Pasi Väätäinen ISBN 978-951-25-2885-1 (PDF) ISSN 2489-2769 Maanpuolustuskorkeakoulu – National Defence University Johtamisen ja sotilaspedagogiikan laitos – Department of Leadership and Military Pedagogy 1 THE FINNISH DEFENCE FORCES AS PART OF A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY Jaakko Valtanen General (ret.) Jaakko Valtanen was Chief of Defence (CHOD) of the Finnish Defence Forces between 1983 and 1990. In 1999, General Val- tanen held a presentation in Tampere at the concluding seminar of the research project "Democratic Security Building in the Baltic States". The research project was organized by the Tampere Peace Research Institute and the University of Aberdeen. All the presentations held at the seminar, in addition to that of General Valtanen, were to be pub- lished after the seminar, but this was never done. Even though the presentation is already 17 years old and does not contain source refer- ences, the Department of Leadership and Military Pedagogy publishes the presentation, due to its important perspectives vis-à-vis Military So- ciology as one of the disciplines of the Department. 1. It is natural that under normal was created in Sweden, of which Fin- conditions, the role of armed forces in land was a part at the time. The sys- society is always somewhat problemat- tem was called the military tenure es- ic. The problems are due to the fact tablishment. Farmers formed a group that the question is about the position of two or more farms with the obliga- of troops trained and organised to use tion to provide, in case of war, an weapons – in other words an organi- equipped soldier for the military units sation of violence. In societies based to be established in the area. A tenure on the political role of the armed soldier was given a croft and arable forces, the position is perhaps “more land in addition to a small sum of clear”, but in a democracy the matter money. During peace-time, the tenure is complex. There is a kind of perma- soldiers lived and worked among oth- nent tension between an authoritarian er people. This system made it possi- military organisation and a democratic ble to avoid a rootless mercenary army society – especially in peace-time. As isolated from the rest of the society. to society, the question is thus about enduring something unpleasant but 3. When Finland was annexed to the necessary, and of minimising the pos- Russian Empire as a Grand Duchy in sible disadvantages caused by it. Even 1809, the military tenure establishment in the Finnish Defence Forces’ role was abolished and enlisted troops and in its integration into society, the were formed instead. In 1878, the first question is precisely about this. Conscription Act came into force in Finland. Under it, military personnel 2. From an historical perspective it had to be Finnish and the tasks of the can be said that until the French armed force were restricted to defend- Revolution, the armed forces in al- ing the territory of Finland only. most all European countries were es- However, for the mother country tablished based on enlisted mercenary Russia, a nationally-based army had troops. On the other hand, as early as separatist effects that she considered at the end of the 17th century, a most dangerous. In the early 20th century, exceptional system of armed forces the Russification of Finland was start- 2 ed with harsh measures, and as part of different circles of population and this, the Conscription Act was amend- removed social animosity dating from ed. The measures taken in Finland 1918. During the Second World War, resulted in refusals to report for ser- more than 600,000 men performed vice on a large scale when called up. their military service within the Finn- The Russians responded to the Finns’ ish Defence Forces. It was natural that insubordination by disbanding the at the time it affected the whole socie- Finnish Army in 1901. After that there ty most extensively and almost every were only some 100,000 Russian sol- Finnish home. Some 100,000 Finnish diers in Finland. soldiers died during the war, and of the around 200,000 wounded, over 4. Finland’s War of Independence of 5,000 were permanently disabled. In 1918 changed into a bloody Civil War relation to the population of 3.5 mil- between the so-called Whites and lion at the time, the losses were ex- Reds, and it divided the people of Fin- tremely heavy. land deeply and for a long period of time. The political left had a negative 5. After the Second World War, it attitude towards the Defence Forces took a long time before a regular way of independent Finland, which was of life could be resumed. Prior to that, formed of the White Army that had Finland had to pay war reparations to won the war. This negative attitude the Soviet Union, resettle half a mil- was not unfounded, as conscripts lion war refugees from Karelia, and from the left were treated with suspi- finish rebuilding Lapland, which had cion. been destroyed by the Germans. In spite of the fact that the Defence For this reason, a provision included Forces’ position in society was weak in Finland’s Penal Code in 1922 was well into the 1960’s, general conscrip- of great significance. It prohibited tion was, however, implemented con- soldiers from engaging in party poli- tinuously as provided by law. Every tics. It promoted the implementation age class received training, and unlike of general conscription and had a pos- several Central European countries, itive impact on the internal climate we had no untrained age classes. The prevailing in the whole society in the Defence Review Committee of 1945 1920’s and 1930’s. recommended that general conscrip- tion be continued. All political and The so-called Mäntsälä coup, attempt- military reports of later date have ar- ed by the extreme right in 1932, rived at the same conclusion. measured the social importance of general conscription in a concrete 6. The conscription system is of way. The Defence Forces’ loyalty to course based on the legislation con- the Government relieved people’s cerning it. Finland’s Constitution pro- minds and contributed to a peaceful vides that all citizens have the general solution. liability to participate in the defence of their native country and that all males The Winter War that a unanimous are liable for military service. On the nation fought against the Soviet Un- other hand, the Conscription Act de- ion in winter 1939-1940 showed how crees how this liability is implemented the social development in the 1930’s and the general rights and responsibili- and general conscription had united ties of a soldier. There is a separate 3 Act on unarmed and civilian service, stress lies on the troops that are the and provisions on conscientious ob- target of the training. Class distinc- jectors. The Act on Voluntary Military tions are blurred in society, while a Service for Women came into force in strict hierarchy prevails in the military 1994. organisation. In society, the possibility to select and influence is improved, 7. Although the Finnish Defence whereas the military organisation re- Forces have a tradition of general quires obedience. In society, permissi- conscription dating back to the days bility and the approval of difference is of the military tenure establishment, increased, while military education and clear legislation concerning con- aims at uniformity, and so on. scription, they are by no means the only factors integrating the Defence 8. Even in a democratic society, the Forces into society. most important interest regarding the defence forces is that the establish- As I have already said, the military ment fulfils the task given to it and organisation has been, and still is, an uses the resources allocated to it cor- authoritarian system built according to rectly. In other words, the defence the requirements of possible war and forces have to prepare to defend the combat. Besides authoritarianism, mil- country and its citizens in case of a itary discipline, based on special regu- possible war. Essential factors are the lations, and using sanctions and pun- security policy pursued by the country ishments, is a typical characteristic of a and possible military crisis and threat military organisation.
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