4 ms·

> "A lot of those people came from disadvantaged backgrounds where army careers are the only ticket out of poverty." They are not the only ticket out of povert

> "A lot of those people came from disadvantaged backgrounds where army careers are the only ticket out of poverty." They are not the only ticket out of poverty, speaking broadly these people have choices. What is happening is that the military provides, for some people, an attractive way to get out of poverty, because it comes along with a certain level of prestige. Change the level of prestige and you change the influx of new recruits.

toyg 10y ago
> Change the level of prestige and you change the influx of new recruits. Who can change the level of prestige? Upper and middle classes. Why would they do that, when the system works just fine for them? Nobody is legally coerced, and still cannon fodder is overwhelmingly provided by the "right" people. From a certain perspective, it's a beautiful system.
- ZenoArrow 10y ago
  > "Who can change the level of prestige?" We all can, and we can start by resisting the narrative to refer to those involved in preemptive war as 'heroes'. There's nothing heroic about playing the role of the aggressor. Furthermore, we need to find a way to better engage with those who have taken part in war so that we can learn from their experiences. The more we can see war for what it is, the less likely we'll be so casual about it continuing.
  - toyg 10y ago
    You also have to design and pay for alternative careers and education streams. It's not a coincidence that the countries who most value military careers are often ones where higher education is extremely expensive or restricted. That will mean raising taxes and fighting tax evasion, which might mean less "free money" from VC gluts.
    - ZenoArrow 10y ago
      Putting aside the situation in developing countries, I'm suggesting making the changes closer to home. In developed countries potential soldiers already have other options so it's not a question of making economic changes, it's a question of changing how we cut through the propaganda that glorifies soldiers. The only cases for soldiers as heroes are in cases of defending against an external aggressor or defending the helpless. Becoming a soldier does not automatically make you a hero, just as lawyers are not automatically heroes, it all depends on the causes they serve.

toyg 10y ago

> Change the level of prestige and you change the influx of new recruits. Who can change the level of prestige? Upper and middle classes. Why would they do that, when the system works just fine for them? Nobody is legally coerced, and still cannon fodder is overwhelmingly provided by the "right" people. From a certain perspective, it's a beautiful system.

ZenoArrow 10y ago
> "Who can change the level of prestige?" We all can, and we can start by resisting the narrative to refer to those involved in preemptive war as 'heroes'. There's nothing heroic about playing the role of the aggressor. Furthermore, we need to find a way to better engage with those who have taken part in war so that we can learn from their experiences. The more we can see war for what it is, the less likely we'll be so casual about it continuing.
- toyg 10y ago
  You also have to design and pay for alternative careers and education streams. It's not a coincidence that the countries who most value military careers are often ones where higher education is extremely expensive or restricted. That will mean raising taxes and fighting tax evasion, which might mean less "free money" from VC gluts.
  - ZenoArrow 10y ago
    Putting aside the situation in developing countries, I'm suggesting making the changes closer to home. In developed countries potential soldiers already have other options so it's not a question of making economic changes, it's a question of changing how we cut through the propaganda that glorifies soldiers. The only cases for soldiers as heroes are in cases of defending against an external aggressor or defending the helpless. Becoming a soldier does not automatically make you a hero, just as lawyers are not automatically heroes, it all depends on the causes they serve.