This study considers the various aspects of conscription, its ideology and role in various countries. It also examines issues of gender, children as soldiers, globalization, citizenship, dissent and democracy.

Historical Perspectives: Killing for the state, dying for the nation - an introductory essay on the life cycle of conscription into Europe's armed forces, L. Mjoset, S. Van Holde; Conscription as ideology - revolutionary France and the nation in arms, A. Forrest; Citizen-soldiers, national service and the mass army - the birth of conscription in revolutionary Europe and North America, M. Kestnbaum; Globalization, conscription, and anti-militarism in pre-WWI Europe, D.M. Rowe; Who's using who? - A comparison of military conscription in Guatemala and Senegal in the first half of the 20th century, D. Carey Jr; Of war and virtue - gender, citizenship and veterans' benefits after WWII, G. Ritter. Contemporary Perspectives: Traditional gendered identities - national service and the all volunteer force, P.R. Higate; Recruitment of children as soldiers in sub-Saharan Africa - an ecological analysis, M. Wessells; Militia conscription in Sierra Leone - Recruitment of young fighters in an African war, P. Richards; Conscription and its alternatives, B. Moeller; The European farewell to conscription?, R. Ajangiz. (Part contents).