Conscription - good or bad?

[Eddi]

Is conscription a good idea? – do/would you support it, as a policy?

Should young people be compelled to serve in the military?

Would this be good for society?

Would this be good or bad for the military?

Would this be good for individuals?

What about non-military compulsory national service?

Should only males be compelled to serve, or females too?

Has anyone here done national service? If so, what was it like? And for how long?

I have to be careful whenever I travel to Greece, as I’m liable for conscription there. I know they’d consider me unsuitable (I can’t even speak Greek) for numerous reasons but I can imagine it being a huge pain.
​

 

[Sunstone]

I can see good arguments on both sides of the issue.

For instance, perhaps conscription is warranted if at least three conditions are met first:

(1) The society can be legitimately called a relatively good or beneficial society, or at least "worth defending".

(2) The society has greatly benefited the people being conscripted

(3) The society faces a dire or existential threat to which conscription is a necessary part of the solution.​

Against conscription, I can see the argument that it violates the right of the individual to self-determination.

Both arguments strike me as defensible, although I think both can be challenged.

 

[PruePhillip]

Is conscription a good idea? – do/would you support it, as a policy?

Should young people be compelled to serve in the military?

Would this be good for society?

Would this be good or bad for the military?

Would this be good for individuals?

What about non-military compulsory national service?

Should only males be compelled to serve, or females too?

Has anyone here done national service? If so, what was it like? And for how long?

I have to be careful whenever I travel to Greece, as I’m liable for conscription there. I know they’d consider me unsuitable (I can’t even speak Greek) for numerous reasons but I can imagine it being a huge pain.
​

In the next major war I would support conscription - particularly for women.
The whole point of conscription is that you gain benefits from a secure and
prosperous society -defending that society is your responsibility.

 

[Altfish]

You should be given a choice...say...Armed Forces or Health Service or Help the Homeless / Community Service or Voluntary Service Overseas - I'm sure there are more you could think of.

I could probably support that - but not just the military.

 

[LuisDantas]

I can't even attempt to see conscription as defensable.

 

[Eddi]

Is conscription a good idea? – do/would you support it, as a policy?

Should young people be compelled to serve in the military?

Would this be good for society?

Would this be good or bad for the military?

Would this be good for individuals?

What about non-military compulsory national service?

Should only males be compelled to serve, or females too?

Has anyone here done national service? If so, what was it like? And for how long?

I have to be careful whenever I travel to Greece, as I’m liable for conscription there. I know they’d consider me unsuitable (I can’t even speak Greek) for numerous reasons but I can imagine it being a huge pain.
​

To answer my own questions:

(Edit: these are not strongly held beliefs, just a set of idle musings and don't really represent me as a person)

Personally, in the UK I’d like to see a system of compulsory community national service, with the option of spending some time in the military. In the dystopian sci-fi film Starship Troopers military service is used to differentiate between citizens of the republic, and mere subjects. Perhaps the same could be done in real life, but with community service instead, to earn access to higher education or state benefits such as healthcare? Or the right to run for public office?

It would require a lot of bureaucracy though, and many support workers to administer it.

I’d say it would be good for society as it would instil civic values and would be good for individuals as it would give people occupational experience and a chance to prove themselves as loyal citizens and disciplined workers, to help them later in life. For instance, people could get a certificate for their national service that they could mention on their curriculum vitae if they have very few academic qualifications, and maybe even a reference to help them find work, or a commendation for going the extra mile and showing great enthusiasm, rather than just doing the bare minimum? Perhaps there could be gold certificates, silver certificates, and then standard certificates? And of course, no certificate (and possible criminal penalties) for those who put in no effort?

Basically, I'd like to see the status of "citizen" as something to be earned. Also, the community would also benefit from tens of thousands of youths doing worthy and helpful things.

As for the military issue, I know that in the UK the armed forces are very short of personnel, however i think the military's job is to win wars rather than be "good for society", so I suppose allowing people who are fit enough to do their national service in the military would be good or bad for the military to the extent that it either helps or hinders its ability to win wars.

 

[Kangaroo Feathers]

Is conscription a good idea? – do/would you support it, as a policy?

Should young people be compelled to serve in the military?

Would this be good for society?

Would this be good or bad for the military?

Would this be good for individuals?

What about non-military compulsory national service?

Should only males be compelled to serve, or females too?

Has anyone here done national service? If so, what was it like? And for how long?

I have to be careful whenever I travel to Greece, as I’m liable for conscription there. I know they’d consider me unsuitable (I can’t even speak Greek) for numerous reasons but I can imagine it being a huge pain.
​

I don't believe compulsory military service is ethical, but some form of national service would be good. If you conscientiously object to serving in the military, there's the fire brigade, ambulance services, hospitals, national parks or any number of other organisations that could benefit from a mutually beneficial national service arrangement.

 

[Revoltingest]

I can't even attempt to see conscription as defensable.

It's bad for those conscripted.
But it's great for those who aren't.

 

[Jumi]

We have it for historical reasons, but I don't agree with it. I'd say it wastes a year (or more) of the most productive and molding part of life from men in activities that don't benefit everyday life that they won't get back afterwards. For professional soldiers the training is more rigorous and useful. If conscription was done to that level of expenses then it might be better.

 

[Stevicus]

Is conscription a good idea? – do/would you support it, as a policy?

Should young people be compelled to serve in the military?

Would this be good for society?

Would this be good or bad for the military?

Would this be good for individuals?

What about non-military compulsory national service?

Should only males be compelled to serve, or females too?

Has anyone here done national service? If so, what was it like? And for how long?

I have to be careful whenever I travel to Greece, as I’m liable for conscription there. I know they’d consider me unsuitable (I can’t even speak Greek) for numerous reasons but I can imagine it being a huge pain.
​

If the country is worth defending, then it should be assumed that (in time of crisis) there would/should be enough volunteers for military service. If there aren't enough able and willing volunteers, then that's a reflection upon the quality of the society and government.

I volunteered myself, although they didn't take me for medical reasons (nothing major, but enough to keep me out of the service). But that was during the early 1980s, when voluntary recruitment levels were quite high and the military could afford to be picky. Although I can imagine that if there was a worse crisis or serious shortage of recruits, they might likely lower their standards (or age limits).

I'm against conscription on general principle, although I suppose there might be some circumstances where conscription for some kind of service might be necessary, but only in cases of extreme emergency, such as a major disaster, flood, zombie apocalypse - something where there is an immediate, clear and present danger which is close to one's community.

Under no circumstances should anyone be conscripted and then sent to foreign soil. By sending a conscript to foreign soil, the government is tacitly admitting that there's no real crisis affecting the country itself, and would therefore preclude the need for conscription in the first place. Any and all conscripts should be used for homeland defense only.

 

[Revoltingest]

The best way to avoid the draft is for military pay to be high enuf to
attract the labor (quantity and quality). If those who don't serve think
the price is too high, then are they really worth defending?

 

[Valjean]

Conscription violates one's right to self-determination and one's freedom of conscience. A country cannot have compulsory service and still call itself free.

How does your country come to own you; to demand allegiance? Did you sign a contract at some point?

Just some thoughts on the matter:
Could your neighborhood association/council conscript you into a neighborhood watch or trash pickup crew?
Could the city council require crossing guard duty at your local school or window washing at government buildings?
Could the state governor require you to do vehicle checks at a border check point or maintenance work in a state park?

Why should residence determine a country's right to conscript? The jurisdiction you're born in isn't your choice. Why are you expected to show allegiance to the gang currently claiming it? Why shouldn't you, rather, ally with some other gang whose policies you're more in agreement with?

Shouldn't some faraway country have the right to conscript you, based on some other criterion? Why not?

Military conscription: Does any person or group have the right to order you to do something unconscionable, or something that will insure you an eternity in Hell?
Can the Hells Angels order someone in their territory to attack the Mongols? If you live in a Crips neighborhood do you owe them allegiance against the Bloods? Why not?

You may say you owe no allegiance to criminal organizations, but who determines who's criminal and who's legitimate? The bigger gang?

What if your country's a criminal organization?; if it exploits other countries, foments revolutions or wages war without UN sanction, for example? Wouldn't your moral duty, in such a case, be to oppose your country, perhaps even assist the victim country?

 

[74x12]

Is conscription a good idea? – do/would you support it, as a policy?

Should young people be compelled to serve in the military?

Would this be good for society?

Would this be good or bad for the military?

Would this be good for individuals?

What about non-military compulsory national service?

Should only males be compelled to serve, or females too?

Has anyone here done national service? If so, what was it like? And for how long?

I have to be careful whenever I travel to Greece, as I’m liable for conscription there. I know they’d consider me unsuitable (I can’t even speak Greek) for numerous reasons but I can imagine it being a huge pain.
​

I think it's probably necessary for smaller countries like Greece that could be invaded by powerful neighbors such as Turkey.

 

[Valjean]

In the next major war I would support conscription - particularly for women.
The whole point of conscription is that you gain benefits from a secure and
prosperous society -defending that society is your responsibility.

In the next major war the best advice might be just to get wasted and kiss your arse goodbye.
I don't know about all countries, but for my own, I'd argue that our military adventurism has harmed both our security, our freedoms and our prosperity.

Personally, in the UK I’d like to see a system of compulsory community national service, with the option of spending some time in the military. In the dystopian sci-fi film Starship Troopers military service is used to differentiate between citizens of the republic, and mere subjects. Perhaps the same could be done in real life, but with community service instead, to earn access to higher education or state benefits such as healthcare? Or the right to run for public office?

Ah -- my personal choice for worst film ever, but the example is apt.

I wouldn't support compulsory service, but service opportunities with inducements I could get behind.
In the US we had such service opportunities during the 1930s depression. They were voluntary, they put tens of thousands to work, they saved lives in an era with few social services, and they built much of the country's infrastructure.

It would require a lot of bureaucracy though, and many support workers to administer it.

You mean it would create productive jobs?

I don't believe compulsory military service is ethical, but some form of national service would be good. If you conscientiously object to serving in the military, there's the fire brigade, ambulance services, hospitals, national parks or any number of other organisations that could benefit from a mutually beneficial national service arrangement.

I agree -- if it's voluntary.

It's bad for those conscripted.
But it's great for those who aren't.

Mmmm... not so great. How much more prosperous would the country be if half our military expenditures were redirected to infrastructure, education, healthcare, &c?

We have it for historical reasons, but I don't agree with it. I'd say it wastes a year (or more) of the most productive and molding part of life from men in activities that don't benefit everyday life that they won't get back afterwards. For professional soldiers the training is more rigorous and useful. If conscription was done to that level of expenses then it might be better.

I'd take some exception here. The military does teach discipline, teamwork and a host of useful skills that will be of benefit later in life.

 

[Valjean]

If the country is worth defending, then it should be assumed that (in time of crisis) there would/should be enough volunteers for military service. If there aren't enough able and willing volunteers, then that's a reflection upon the quality of the society and government.

The last time my country had an arguably defensive war was WWII. Since then our military's been used mostly in wars of choice, largely benefiting the billionaire classes and securing markets for corporations -- often to the detriment of the general public.

Under no circumstances should anyone be conscripted and then sent to foreign soil. By sending a conscript to foreign soil, the government is tacitly admitting that there's no real crisis affecting the country itself, and would therefore preclude the need for conscription in the first place. Any and all conscripts should be used for homeland defense only.

Now I can sympathize with this. I've often thought we'd be perfectly fine with just a National Guard and Coast Guard. But, on the other hand, how many wars are you going to win playing a purely defensive game; without an attempt to cripple the enemy's offensive capacity?

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Is conscription a good idea? – do/would you support it, as a policy?

Should young people be compelled to serve in the military?

Would this be good for society?

Would this be good or bad for the military?

Would this be good for individuals?

What about non-military compulsory national service?

Should only males be compelled to serve, or females too?

Has anyone here done national service? If so, what was it like? And for how long?

I have to be careful whenever I travel to Greece, as I’m liable for conscription there. I know they’d consider me unsuitable (I can’t even speak Greek) for numerous reasons but I can imagine it being a huge pain.
​

Conscription is slavery. I consider it to be evil, period.

 

[Revoltingest]

Mmmm... not so great. How much more prosperous would the country be if half our military expenditures were redirected to infrastructure, education, healthcare, &c?

Oh, stop being so practical !

I'd take some exception here. The military does teach discipline, teamwork and a host of useful skills that will be of benefit later in life.

I know many who served in the military.
Didn't see much benefit...except for multiple free surgeries to fix war injuries.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Yes, I think a few years of civil service should be required of everyone, whether it's the military or something else. I think it would do a lot of good.

 

[Valjean]

I think it's probably necessary for smaller countries like Greece that could be invaded by powerful neighbors such as Turkey.

Me, I'd favor a general disarmament and prohibition of offensive war, with military and enforcement capacity vested in a single, international organization, a sort of, say... united nations.

 

[Valjean]

Yes, I think a few years of civil service should be required of everyone, whether it's the military or something else. I think it would do a lot of good.

Yes, it probably would do a lot of good -- but would it be fair, would it be consistent with a free society?