Sociology Students Held a Debate on the Introduction of Mandatory Military Service

On Friday, 23 January 2026, a student debate was held at the University Department of Sociology as part of the course Workshop on Fundamental Concepts in Sociology, jointly taught by Assoc. Prof. Ivana Brstilo Lovrić, PhD, Assist. Prof. Damir Mravunac, PhD, and teaching assistant Lovro Knežević, M.A. in Sociology, who also organized and moderated the debate. The topic of the debate was the introduction of mandatory military service in Croatian society.

The aim of the activity was to encourage students to apply the sociological imagination and to develop skills in critical thinking and academic argumentation. Students were divided into an affirmative and a negative team. The affirmative side presented arguments emphasizing the strengthening of social cohesion, the promotion of equality among citizens, preparedness for crisis situations, and the development of responsibility and discipline. The opposing side highlighted potential inefficiency and economic unprofitability, possible crises, and risks related to the development of deviant behavior.

The debate was attended by the Head of the Department and departmental faculty members, who provided students with constructive feedback and additional motivation for further academic engagement.

As part of the event, the winners of the course debates were also announced. First place was awarded to the team of Antonija Čmarec and Ana Livaja; second place to the team of Patricija Hren, Lana Mihalić, and Manuela Cajnko Halapija; and third place to the team of Marta Perestegi, Dora Knezović, and Ana Bibić.

We look forward to the students’ continued academic progress and the further development of their debating and analytical skills.