3 ms·

Well conscription almost doesn't exist any more in western countries. And I don't think it's a good example of something that doesn't affect anyone else, the id

Well conscription almost doesn't exist any more in western countries. And I don't think it's a good example of something that doesn't affect anyone else, the idea is to train people in case of a war. Having people able to defend the country seems quite useful for everyone in unstable times.

int_19h 4y ago
There was a lot of talk about conscription being gone in Europe, up until 2014. Then that whole Crimea thing happened. Since then, no European country had dropped conscription, and several have re-instituted it. The West is not uniform. Some parts of it are far enough from serious threats that they don't need conscription. But this is only possible because there are other countries to serve as a buffer, and they generally do have conscription. (Well, or you're on a different continent entirely, and that is your primary defense.)
cyphar 4y ago
Is Switzerland not a "Western country"? Several other countries in Europe (and many more throughout the world) still have conscription. Even the US still requires you by law to register for the draft[1] and technically still has the legal right to conscript you[2], though since 1973 they (as a matter of policy) no longer do this: > However, conscription remains in place on a contingency basis and all male U.S. citizens, regardless of where they live, and male immigrants, whether documented or undocumented, residing within the United States, who are 18 through 25 are required to register with the Selective Service System. United States federal law also continues to provide for the compulsory conscription of men between the ages of 17 and 45 and certain women for militia service pursuant to Article I, Section 8 of the United States Constitution and 10 U.S. Code § 246. [1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selective_Service_System https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selective_Service_System [2]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conscription_in_the_United_States https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conscription_in_the_United_Sta...
LanceH 4y ago
I don't know...person going along living his life, gets drafted, sent to war and dies. He wasn't bothering anyone. He's not affecting anyone else until after you draft him. While it may be useful for the country, it is certainly at odds with individual freedom. While there isn't much mandatory military service left in western countries, it is far from gone. And this doesn't speak to the countries with the potential to draft, which is many.

int_19h 4y ago

There was a lot of talk about conscription being gone in Europe, up until 2014. Then that whole Crimea thing happened. Since then, no European country had dropped conscription, and several have re-instituted it. The West is not uniform. Some parts of it are far enough from serious threats that they don't need conscription. But this is only possible because there are other countries to serve as a buffer, and they generally do have conscription. (Well, or you're on a different continent entirely, and that is your primary defense.)

cyphar 4y ago

Is Switzerland not a "Western country"? Several other countries in Europe (and many more throughout the world) still have conscription. Even the US still requires you by law to register for the draft[1] and technically still has the legal right to conscript you[2], though since 1973 they (as a matter of policy) no longer do this: > However, conscription remains in place on a contingency basis and all male U.S. citizens, regardless of where they live, and male immigrants, whether documented or undocumented, residing within the United States, who are 18 through 25 are required to register with the Selective Service System. United States federal law also continues to provide for the compulsory conscription of men between the ages of 17 and 45 and certain women for militia service pursuant to Article I, Section 8 of the United States Constitution and 10 U.S. Code § 246. [1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selective_Service_System https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selective_Service_System [2]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conscription_in_the_United_States https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conscription_in_the_United_Sta...

LanceH 4y ago

I don't know...person going along living his life, gets drafted, sent to war and dies. He wasn't bothering anyone. He's not affecting anyone else until after you draft him. While it may be useful for the country, it is certainly at odds with individual freedom. While there isn't much mandatory military service left in western countries, it is far from gone. And this doesn't speak to the countries with the potential to draft, which is many.