Youth refusal signals social‑contract rift

A large minority of young people saying they'd never fight for their country is not just a mood but a signal that the intergenerational bargain has broken: young citizens perceive elites as failing to reciprocate duty with security, opportunity, or belonging. If true, that perception will reduce civic solidarity and complicate recruitment, national resilience, and democratic legitimacy. — If a substantial share of citizens feel the social contract is broken, policymakers must address cultural education, economic opportunity and visible reciprocity to restore civic commitment or face long‑term cohesion and defence problems.