The draft is not conceptually bad. In the case of a national emergency, like Ukraine has had, having the organization for a draft ready if needed is a positive.
Ukraine is a land invasion by an aggressive Russia, the US is one of the most geographically isolated countries in the world. We already subjugated our two neighbors so a land invasion is out of the question. Attack by sea? Good luck, we’re surrounded by a moat made up of two oceans guarded by a fleet of ships more advanced and numerous than any other country’s. The draft is there for us to project our imperial power to the world. The only viable use of the draft then is for a civil war but that would be risky if they bring saboteurs into the army’s ranks.
My argument was in the abstract. Although one should never discount the possibility of the world changing, I’m inclined to agree that the US is unlikely to have a legitimate use for activating the draft with the world as it is now. But the draft, as a concept, is a tool that democratic governments are not wrong to hold onto in case of emergency.
Not sure I understand how forced service through a draft. Is any different than voluntary service when your country is being invaded?
The draft implies you don’t get a choice in the matter. I really don’t understand anyone who thinks the psychology behind people who Don’t want to be soldiers being pushed into being soldiers is going to be a healthy army
There are numerous reasons why one wouldn’t volunteer, but still willingly serve in a draft. Many people feel obligation towards their family, and volunteering would be abrogating that responsibility. The draft removes that issue of internal guilt. Furthermore, drafts can preserve needed skills at home - in WW2, volunteers were often turned away and told to wait for their draft card to turn up, because at that moment their profession was needed for the war industry.
I would highly recommend reading the accounts of soldiers who have been drafted in wars that weren’t wildly unpopular with the domestic population and/or 20 year occupations.
In WW2, the vast majority of our military forces were drafted, both US and UK.
The draft is not conceptually bad. In the case of a national emergency, like Ukraine has had, having the organization for a draft ready if needed is a positive.
Ukraine is a land invasion by an aggressive Russia, the US is one of the most geographically isolated countries in the world. We already subjugated our two neighbors so a land invasion is out of the question. Attack by sea? Good luck, we’re surrounded by a moat made up of two oceans guarded by a fleet of ships more advanced and numerous than any other country’s. The draft is there for us to project our imperial power to the world. The only viable use of the draft then is for a civil war but that would be risky if they bring saboteurs into the army’s ranks.
Don’t forget our obligation to NATO. It’s possible the U.S. could be drawn into a large scale conflict requiring troops.
My argument was in the abstract. Although one should never discount the possibility of the world changing, I’m inclined to agree that the US is unlikely to have a legitimate use for activating the draft with the world as it is now. But the draft, as a concept, is a tool that democratic governments are not wrong to hold onto in case of emergency.
Not sure I understand how forced service through a draft. Is any different than voluntary service when your country is being invaded?
The draft implies you don’t get a choice in the matter. I really don’t understand anyone who thinks the psychology behind people who Don’t want to be soldiers being pushed into being soldiers is going to be a healthy army
There are numerous reasons why one wouldn’t volunteer, but still willingly serve in a draft. Many people feel obligation towards their family, and volunteering would be abrogating that responsibility. The draft removes that issue of internal guilt. Furthermore, drafts can preserve needed skills at home - in WW2, volunteers were often turned away and told to wait for their draft card to turn up, because at that moment their profession was needed for the war industry.
I would highly recommend reading the accounts of soldiers who have been drafted in wars that weren’t wildly unpopular with the domestic population and/or 20 year occupations.
In WW2, the vast majority of our military forces were drafted, both US and UK.