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As a counter point, since throughout history we have had plenty of states with a big role for the military, I don't think your theory that it helps "heal" the n

As a counter point, since throughout history we have had plenty of states with a big role for the military, I don't think your theory that it helps "heal" the nation passes the test. I'm not sure, I'm far from being a historian, maybe somebody could offer an educated opinion on the subject... but my point is we don't need to wait, there should be plenty of data to look at.

watwut 8y ago
One data point would be Germany prior WWII the other soviet russia. In Germany, the lower levels of government being composed of ex-soldiers was factor that made Nazi takeover easier (based on Evans books for example). As for eastern block, I knew personally people of older generation that have been through draft and their memories were not rosy. A lot of bullying, a lot of having to submit yourself to bullying or various abuse of higher ups or just stupidity. (Turned out smartest profesional soldiers were not the ones dealing with draftees). One was forced to steal, many learned to smoke and generally it was exercise on avoiding duty+doing minimum once you are after basic training. Army quality went up after all those people who really did not wanted to be there were not there. Israel has draft too, but it is real war going on there so it might be different. Switzerland has military duty, but they do shorter stints at time. I really don't think you can solve racial divisions by that. Racial divisons are a lot about ideologies and believes and legacy of history and so on.
- manfredo 8y ago
  Interesting, I've actually heard the opposite point made about Germany. My understanding is that the Allies considered Junkers, a Prussian and later German hereditary military class, to be one of the key factors that led a Germany to instigate WWII in Europe. This is why the Allies wanted Germany to institute a draft, to prevent one segment of the population from exerting near total control of the military. At least that's my understanding of the establishment of the West German military.
  - watwut 8y ago
    Both can be true, but i dont know much about after ear. Prior WWII ex-soldiers had guaranteed employment in goverment. By law. So, trains, post, police, social help etc were all ex-soldiers. Meaning socialized in military, military values of obeisense, duty to do what is told, etc determining how all those institutions worked. They adjusted to Nazi rule remarkably well and without any fuss, including in beginning. Also, Germany had conscription since 1935 including labor for those not trusted to be in military. Hitler wanted war two no matter who ruled army, germany foreign policts wanted imperium, so I think it would happen even if hereditary officers were someone else. One more thing here. Nazi army and conscription and also school system were preparation for brutal war where Germans were meant to be the most brutal. Which essentially happened. One issue with military as mandatory training to teach you values and discipline and what not is that they might teach you wrong values including to be remarkably brutal.

watwut 8y ago

One data point would be Germany prior WWII the other soviet russia. In Germany, the lower levels of government being composed of ex-soldiers was factor that made Nazi takeover easier (based on Evans books for example). As for eastern block, I knew personally people of older generation that have been through draft and their memories were not rosy. A lot of bullying, a lot of having to submit yourself to bullying or various abuse of higher ups or just stupidity. (Turned out smartest profesional soldiers were not the ones dealing with draftees). One was forced to steal, many learned to smoke and generally it was exercise on avoiding duty+doing minimum once you are after basic training. Army quality went up after all those people who really did not wanted to be there were not there. Israel has draft too, but it is real war going on there so it might be different. Switzerland has military duty, but they do shorter stints at time. I really don't think you can solve racial divisions by that. Racial divisons are a lot about ideologies and believes and legacy of history and so on.

manfredo 8y ago
Interesting, I've actually heard the opposite point made about Germany. My understanding is that the Allies considered Junkers, a Prussian and later German hereditary military class, to be one of the key factors that led a Germany to instigate WWII in Europe. This is why the Allies wanted Germany to institute a draft, to prevent one segment of the population from exerting near total control of the military. At least that's my understanding of the establishment of the West German military.
- watwut 8y ago
  Both can be true, but i dont know much about after ear. Prior WWII ex-soldiers had guaranteed employment in goverment. By law. So, trains, post, police, social help etc were all ex-soldiers. Meaning socialized in military, military values of obeisense, duty to do what is told, etc determining how all those institutions worked. They adjusted to Nazi rule remarkably well and without any fuss, including in beginning. Also, Germany had conscription since 1935 including labor for those not trusted to be in military. Hitler wanted war two no matter who ruled army, germany foreign policts wanted imperium, so I think it would happen even if hereditary officers were someone else. One more thing here. Nazi army and conscription and also school system were preparation for brutal war where Germans were meant to be the most brutal. Which essentially happened. One issue with military as mandatory training to teach you values and discipline and what not is that they might teach you wrong values including to be remarkably brutal.