Willingness to Defend Lithuania: “System Problem Detected, Action Pending”

Abstract

As a part of the overarching publication “Willingness to Defend Own Country in the Baltic States: Implications for National Security and NATO’s Collective Defence” (2021), the author of this chapter assesses willingness to defend Lithuania. The author suggests taking extra care in interpreting the scarce data on willingness to defend country available on Lithuania. Nevertheless, the author observes that issues with willingness to defend Lithuania exist. The author underlines patriotism, pride in the state, as well as specific skills, i.e., military experience, and active civil society as the main preconditions for willingness to defend own country. To a various degree, in all those aspects space for progress in Lithuania remains. Attitude towards the state is a broad and complex issue to address. While conscription was reintroduced in Lithuania in 2015, its effect on willingness to defend Lithuania has not yet reached its full potential. Space for progress in societal attitudes is acknowledged also by the Lithuanian authorities, which treat it primarily in the context of civil resistance.