They agreed to curtail their liberty and risk life and limb on behalf of, and at the direction of, the state. Whatever you think of such a decision, it's absurd

They agreed to curtail their liberty and risk life and limb on behalf of, and at the direction of, the state. Whatever you think of such a decision, it's absurd, especially for anyone who's ever taken compensation in equity, to imagine the state should not consider itself under some reciprocal obligation.