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Last Wednesday (March 2, 2011), Jon Stewart had Allison Stranger on the Daily Show to discuss foreign policy and her new book "One Nation Under Contract" (find the episode here). The book is about how the wars and Iraq and Afghanistan are the first time the United States has been involved in conflict and had about the same number of contractors as servicemen. However, that is not what I want to talk about. During the interview, the part that stuck in my head was Stranger's argument that now is the time to have a real national conversation about reinstating the draft.
If a draft were reinstated, since almost everyone would be involved in the military, there would be much more public interest in where our military goes. So the declaration of war would be given much stronger consideration, which I think is warranted because of the weight a war holds. Rousseau and Aristotle both argued for a draft so that democracy could be upheld - with every citizen involved Rousseau and Aristotle believed that the citizens would be more inclined to actively seek a better society for all citizens. There is also the argument that it gives young adults a sense of attachment to their country and descipline as well as breaks class divisions by combining all conscripts together. Economically it is more efficient because conscripts are not paid when they are not in active duty because they are in their civilian jobs while a professional military is paid even when inactive.
The reasons against are more well known, and many of them are very similar to the arguments to uphold a democracy for a draft. The power of an individual to choose whether or not they want to fight is a powerful and just argument and the act of imposing a duty on someone warrants the comparison to involuntary servitude. It can also be said that the very act of conscripting someone is an act that denies them their rights and destroys democracy in that area. Conscription during peace-time is not economically cost effective either.
Conscription in the US is a touchy subject and although I am unwilling to say I would support a draft I think the idea deserves more thought. What do you think?
Tessa, this is a very interesting post. I have to say, at first glance, I was completely opposed to the idea of a draft. Especially with the wars today having such low popularity and likelihood of success, it would be hard for me to risk my life for a cause I don't 100% believe in. But, with the points you brought up about bringing young Americans around a cause and making them more serious about committing to foreign engagements, I see the possible benefits of a draft. Although, as you said this morning, it would be political suicide for a president, especially at this time, to impose a draft, I think it's an interesting idea. I wouldn't reject it outright. Again, great post!
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ReplyDeleteThanks for the reply Daniel! I am glad to hear that I at got at least one person to consider it. Even if we are initially turned off by an idea thinking about it can at least be constructive. Thanks again!
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